Chris Eubank Jr. Embraces Villain Role, Expects Hostile Reception Against Conor Benn At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Chris Eubank Jr. says he expects to be booed by the fans this Saturday night for his fight against Conor Benn, which takes place at 12 pm ET / 11 am PT, live on DAZN PPV at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

(Credit: Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing)

Boo-Proof?

Eubank Jr. (34-3, 25 KOs) has been seen as the villain by many fans throughout his career, and he admits that he’s thrived on being booed at his fights. For him, he feels at home when he’s hearing the boos. If he’s cheered for this fight, it won’t make much difference.

He’ll be on cruise control, looking to outbox and out-punch the less experienced Benn. Eubank Jr. believes his experience advantage will give him the edge. He’s talked about only needing to be at “60%” capacity for him to beat the novice Benn, and he’s probably right.

“I’ve been booed into every arena I’ve been in since 2014. So, I’m expecting the same treatment here,” said Chris Eubank Jr. to Ring Magazine when asked if he expects the crowd to be on his side this Saturday against Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. “Boos, cheers, it doesn’t change the outcome for what’s going to happen.”

It’s good that Eubank Jr. isn’t banking on the fans being on his side this Saturday, but in this case, they probably will. Benn has hurt his popularity due to his positive test for PEDs in 2022, and the way he’s stubbornly fought against it. Boxing fans would have respected Conor if he’d been upfront and admitted that he’d made a mistake by choosing to use a performance-enhancing drug.

Fluid Limits

“I’m so comfortable at home and at peace being booed into these fights,” said Eubank Jr. about whether he wants the fans to be on his side. “It actually warms my heart now. It gets me ready. I don’t know how I’d react to people cheering and smiling as I walk out. I don’t know what that is.

“The real weight cut comes 24 hours before the weigh-in. So, I’m not feeling it right now, but in a couple of days, I’ll feel like a different man,” said Eubank Jr. about the weight cut ahead of Friday’s weigh-in.

It’s going to be interesting to see how the 10-lb rehydration clause affects Eubank Jr. for the fight, because he’s going to have to limit his fluids after weighing in on Friday to ensure that he makes the 170-lb limit this Saturday morning.