Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom has indicated there may be some flexibility when it comes to negotiating the rehydration clause for the highly anticipated rematch between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn.
Several details of the bout still need to be finalized, particularly regarding the financial penalties Eubank could face if he fails to make weight again.
Ahead of their first fight, much attention was placed on Eubank, the naturally bigger man at 35-3 (25 KOs), having to stay below a strict rehydration limit of 170 pounds. Prior to that, he endured a tough weight cut, narrowly missing the middleweight limit by just 0.05 pounds.
Though Eubank complied with the rehydration rule the following day, weighing in under 170 pounds, he was still forced to pay Benn, who holds a 23-1 (14 KOs) record, £375,000 ($500,000) under their pre-arranged contract terms.
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However, it remains unclear if Eubank, now 36, will face the same rehydration restrictions and financial penalties ahead of their November 15 rematch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Since Eubank’s victory earlier this year, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, who manages Benn, has insisted that the terms of the second fight should mirror those of the first.
But Shalom, representing Eubank, has revealed that the rehydration clause and any potential financial penalties are still being renegotiated.
“We had a full contract ready, but just before announcing the first fight, we were told the fight wouldn’t proceed without a rehydration clause,” Shalom told Boxing News. “Chris took the extra money offered, but it’s really an unsafe and unregulated condition that shouldn’t be part of boxing contracts.”
He added, “A fighter will take any challenge, especially if there’s money involved, but it’s up to the regulators to ensure everything is safe. I hope this time there won’t be a rehydration clause.”
When pressed about the financial penalty if Eubank misses weight, Shalom said, “We haven’t reached that stage yet, so I can’t comment.”
Conversely, Eddie Hearn expressed a very different stance on the matter, suggesting the penalty could be even steeper.
“It’s the same $500,000, or hopefully $1 million this time,” Hearn said. “I don’t think Shalom knows what’s confirmed or even what day it is.”
