Chris Eubank Jr. is no stranger to the intense world of combat sports, but in a recent interview, he pulled back the curtain on one of the most controversial and physically demanding aspects of his career: weight cutting. Just before missing the weight for his upcoming fight with Conor Benn—by a mere 0.05lb (roughly the weight of an envelope)—Eubank shared his honest thoughts on the dangerous practice of cutting weight in boxing.
The Dark Side of Weight Cutting: A ‘Horrific’ Experience
Weight cutting in combat sports has long been a topic of debate, especially as the practice has led to serious health risks for athletes. For many fighters, including Eubank, it’s a grueling process that involves dehydration, starvation, and long hours spent sweating it out in saunas or wearing sweatsuits. But according to Eubank, it’s a practice that fighters are forced to face, despite the physical and mental toll it takes.
“No fighter wants to make weight,” Eubank said during his appearance on the Men’s Health Podcast. “It’s a lot easier for some than others, but it’s a horrific thing. Having to dehydrate, starve, and wear sweatsuits and saunas—these are just a few of the things that come with having to deplete your body.”
Despite the extreme discomfort of weight cuts, Eubank’s approach is rooted in experience and tradition. “Right now, I’m just being responsible with the foods I’m putting into my system—making sure I’m eating the best quality foods, the right carbs, the right proteins, and the right vegetables, while staying hydrated as much as possible.”
Does Weight Cutting Ever Become Easier?
As many athletes know, the older you get, the more challenging weight cutting becomes. Eubank admitted that, with age, it’s been harder to maintain the same level of discipline in his weight cuts. “As you get older, it does become more difficult for sure,” he acknowledged. “Your metabolism slows down, your testosterone gets a little bit lower than it used to be—but with that comes the experience of knowing what your body is and how it reacts.”
He still follows a method that’s become second nature over the years. Eubank sticks to what’s worked for him in the past: eating and drinking what he can, and then sweating it all off when it’s time to cut weight. Once the scales are cleared, he rehydrates quickly to replenish what he’s lost. “I’m old school with it,” he remarked, reflecting on his consistent, tried-and-true strategy.
But, with more experience under his belt, he’s aware of the increased toll that weight cutting takes as time goes on. Despite these struggles, Eubank doesn’t see the process of cutting weight disappearing from the sport anytime soon. “It will never be abolished, no,” he said bluntly. “You can’t monitor how every fighter is going to make weight. Some guys do it responsibly, and some do it irresponsibly. There’s no way of governing that.”
Why Weight Cutting Is So Dangerous
The health risks associated with extreme weight cuts are well documented, and the toll they take on a fighter’s body can be devastating. Weight cuts often involve drastic dehydration, which can lead to kidney damage, fainting, hormonal imbalances, and even death. In some of the most tragic instances, like the 2015 death of 21-year-old Chinese MMA fighter Yang Jian Bing, fighters have lost their lives during these extreme processes.
Eubank is fully aware of the dangers and has spoken out about the risks involved. “There are some very serious risks that come with cutting weight the way that many fighters do,” he said. “It’s an unfortunate part of the sport, but it’s something we have to manage.”
In recent years, combat sports organizations have attempted to address these concerns, with some exploring measures like hydration testing and same-day weigh-ins in an effort to ensure that weight cutting doesn’t lead to serious harm. Still, no consistent solution has been adopted across the board, and the practice remains a persistent, and controversial, aspect of many athletes’ careers.
The Real Challenge: Is Weight Cutting an Unfair Advantage?
Eubank also touched on the broader implications of weight cutting, which, according to critics, undermines the integrity of weight classes. Fighters often regain significant weight between the official weigh-in and the actual fight, stepping into the ring much heavier than their officially recorded weight. This creates an uneven playing field, where success is often determined by the ability to manage a weight cut rather than by skill or natural ability.
“Some people do it in a healthy way, and some do it in an extremely irresponsible way,” Eubank explained. “That’s part of what makes the sport dangerous.”
In his case, he’s worked to stay on top of his weight management. By prioritizing quality food, hydration, and experience, Eubank minimizes the risks associated with cutting weight. However, he is fully aware that not all fighters have the same resources or support to safely navigate this process, and that imbalance can contribute to health complications down the road.
The Road Ahead: Can Combat Sports Ever Do Without Weight Cuts?
While calls for reform continue to grow louder, it remains to be seen whether combat sports will ever fully move away from the practice of extreme weight cuts. Eubank’s take is that the system is deeply ingrained in the sport, and eliminating it entirely may not be realistic. “There will always be fighters who will push themselves to extremes to make weight,” he said.
For now, Eubank’s focus is on staying as healthy as possible while navigating the challenges that come with making weight. He remains committed to making weight for his upcoming fight with Conor Benn, despite the small setback of being just 0.05lb over the limit. He continues to share his journey with fans, shedding light on the physical and mental costs of cutting weight—an aspect of combat sports that too often goes unnoticed.
The Reality Behind the Weight Cut Struggle
Chris Eubank Jr. has spoken candidly about his struggles with weight cuts, offering a rare glimpse into the physical and mental toll that this practice takes on fighters. Though the sport continues to grapple with the risks associated with extreme weight cutting, fighters like Eubank remain at the forefront, doing their best to navigate a system that may never fully change.
As the conversation around the dangers of weight cuts continues to evolve, it’s crucial for fighters and the public alike to recognize the significant strain that these practices place on the athletes. Eubank’s journey shows that while weight cuts may be a staple of combat sports, their impact on the human body is something that cannot—and should not—be ignored.