More than two years after they were initially supposed to clash at a catchweight of 157lbs, and after so much prolonged rancour, controversy and drama, Eubank Jr walked away victorious on an unforgettable night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in April.
He claimed a unanimous decision triumph following a thrilling 12-round clash full of fireworks and in which momentum swung sharply back and forth, celebrating with his famous father after their shock reunion on fight night and immediately being hospitalised as he underwent eye surgery.
Attentions quickly turned towards a money-spinning and contracted rematch, which was initially set for September 20 at the same venue, only to be pushed back two months amid yet more disagreements and uncertainty.
But the new date has held firm, with Benn eyeing swift revenge after losing the first fight 116-112 on all three judges’ scorecards to suffer the maiden defeat of his 24-fight professional career in his first UK bout since 2022.
Benn always maintained his innocence and battled to clear his name for two years following two failed voluntary drugs tests that led to the cancellation of his first planned fight against Eubank Jr, cleared to fight back on home soil late last year following the lifting of his provisional suspension.
Eubank vs Benn 2 fight date and venue
The rematch is being held at the same location as the first fight – the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London, where a crowd of 67,484 people made for an electric atmosphere in April.
Eubank vs Benn 2 fight time and ring walks
The early undercard action tonight is expected to begin at around 5pm GMT, with doors open from 4:30pm.
Ring walks for the main event are set to take place at approximately 9:35pm. As ever, those exact timings are subject to change on the night.
How to watch Eubank vs Benn 2
TV channel and live stream: Eubank vs Benn 2 is being shown live and exclusive in the UK via DAZN pay-per-view at a cost of £24.99. Fans who have bought the fight via DAZN can watch it live online via their website and app.
Live blog: Follow the rematch and the rest of the card with Standard Sport’s live blog.
Eubank vs Benn 2 undercard
Jack Catterall and Ekow Essuman headline today’s undercard, the latter looking to build on his shock points win over Josh Taylor in May and ‘El Gato’ aiming to ramp things back up after his agonising split-decision defeat by Arnold Barboza Jr was followed by a technical decision win over Harlem Eubank on his welterweight debut – a fight that ended early due to a clash of heads.
IBO super-lightweight champion Adam Azim returns to action following the biggest win of his career so far against Sergey Lipinets as he takes on Kurt Scoby, a late replacement for Zaur Abdullaev whose last fight was in September.
El Gato: Jack Catterall fights Ekow Essuman at welterweight after his win over Harlem Eubank
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Former cruiserweight contender Richard Riakporhe fights for the second time at heavyweight against the unbeaten Tommy Welch, while Ishmael Davis battles Commonwealth champion Sam Gilley for the vacant British super-welterweight title after an opening bout between unbeaten Liverpool flyweight talent Mikie Tallon and Fezan Shahid.
Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn 2
Jack Catterall vs Ekow Essuman
Richard Riakporhe vs Tommy Welch
Sam Gilley vs Ishmael Davis
Mikie Tallon vs Fezan Shahid
Eubank vs Benn 2 weight and rehydration clause
The rematch is once again being fought at the middleweight limit of 160lbs, with a 10lb rehydration clause enforced once more that means neither man can weigh more than 170lbs during a check that will take place at 9am on the morning of the bout.
On Friday afternoon, Eubank Jr tipped the scales at 159.1lbs, with Benn a touch heavier at 159.3lbs.
Eubank Jr – who was on weight on fight day – said he suffered from severe dehydration after the first fight, claiming it was the main focus of his hospital stay as he needed to be placed on a drip and receive fluids for 48 hours.
Exhaustion: Chris Eubank Jr was hospitalised immediately after his win over Conor Benn in April
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He would normally rehydrate far above that level and said the restrictions on what he could eat and drink after the weigh-in affected his performance, causing swelling all over and leaving him without the usual strength in his legs.
This week’s pre-fight rehydration check will be preceded by the official weigh-ins from 6pm on Friday.
Eubank vs Benn 2 prediction
The first fight between these two long-time foes was certainly epic, consistently high on sheer excitement, action and drama but, on reflection, rather lacking in real genuine quality.
Benn, a natural welterweight, gave a great account of himself and was ultra-aggressive from the first bell, buzzing Eubank Jr and at times defying the narrative that his rival was a clear favourite due to his well-documented size advantages having fought his career at middleweight and super-middleweight.
But boosted by the unexpected, WWE-style arrival of his father, who had been a fierce critic of the fight in the build-up, following an estrangement that had lasted for some four years, and despite a late nasty cut sustained above his right eye, Eubank Jr finished stronger to deservedly claim victory.
Six months on and with the conditions for the rematch remaining exactly the same, it’s difficult to see at first glance exactly what will change.
Benn proved early in the first fight that he can hurt the larger Eubank, but you still question if he can sustain his aggression and momentum for long enough at the higher weight to properly threaten a stoppage, particularly as another likely frenetic and gruelling contest drags on at a punishing tempo.
Reunited: The Eubanks may well be celebrating again at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight
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It will be fascinating to see what alterations he makes under Tony Sims this time around, with Benn no doubt hoping that Eubank – who announced in fight week that he was set to become a father to twin boys – again struggles with the rehydration aspect and perhaps even suffers from a dip in motivation after the supreme highs of the first fight.
Benn believes that their first battle will have taken much more out of Eubank Jr, who is seven years his senior at 36.
But now back under the tutelage of Terence Crawford’s highly-regarded trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ MacIntyre, we’re backing Eubank Jr to get the job done on the scorecards once again, settling this rivalry once and for all with no need for a decisive trilogy fight.
Eubank Jr to win on points.
Eubank vs Benn 2 latest odds
Eubank Jr to win by decision: 9/5
Eubank Jr to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 23/10
Benn to win by decision: 4/1
Benn to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 3/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
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