Chris Eubank Jr Faces Retirement Calls After Hospitalisation Following Benn Rematch
British boxer Chris Eubank Jr has been strongly advised to retire from professional boxing following serious medical problems that emerged after his rematch with Conor Benn. The calls for his retirement have intensified after he was hospitalised and shared concerning footage of receiving urgent medical treatment.
Weight Struggles and Health Concerns
Eubank Jr faced significant difficulties making the 160lb weight limit for both of his fights against Conor Benn, with the issue becoming particularly apparent during their November sequel at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The boxer appeared visibly dejected throughout the rematch, which Benn won by decision after dropping his opponent twice.
Following the contest, immediate retirement calls began circulating within the boxing community. These demands gained substantial momentum when Eubank Jr posted worrying medical footage merely weeks after the fight, revealing he had required urgent hospital treatment.
Conor Benn's Direct Appeal
Long-time rival Conor Benn has now publicly called for Eubank Jr to retire, emphasising the boxer's recent fatherhood and health priorities. Benn stated: "Do I think he should call it a day? Personally, I think he should sail off into the sunset. It's always hard to do that with a loss but I think he should call it a day."
The fighter continued with particular concern for Eubank Jr's family situation: "He's got twin boys, two beautiful twin boys, that have come into this world and sometimes you need to prioritise your health and safety over everything else."
Promoter's Medical Update
Despite the retirement calls, boxing promoter Ben Shalom has provided a medical update suggesting Eubank Jr could potentially return to the ring. Shalom explained: "He's had a lot of stuff to do medically to flush out what he's been dealing with. Once that's done, he will be back, probably at 168lb, but there was an underlying issue he had to get rid of."
The promoter indicated a possible summer return: "We're looking forward to him being back in the middle of the year. There wasn't enough time between April and what ended up November to sort out the issue, it was something that required proper medical attention and he didn't get that. But now he's getting that sorted."
Safety Concerns in Boxing
Shalom expressed broader concerns about fighter safety in boxing, particularly regarding weight cutting practices: "When you offer fighters loads of money to do stupid things, that's what they do. Unfortunately it is. That's where it takes the regulator to say it shouldn't be allowed."
The promoter added a stark warning: "I regret seeing it, but ultimately the fighters have that choice over their own body and there's only so much you can do. It won't happen again. But I wouldn't want to see it again in boxing to be honest. I think it's really dangerous and will lead to something pretty bad."
The situation highlights ongoing concerns about weight management and health protocols in professional boxing, with Eubank Jr's case bringing particular attention to the physical toll exacted on fighters who struggle with weight limits.
