Conor Benn will be trying a slightly different approach to his last fight, according to a gym mate.
After competing against Chris Eubank Jr in April, Benn is readying himself to avenge his loss in November back at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The fight is still viewed as a 50/50 affair, but early predictions from a former world champion suggest Eubank Jr can make more adjustments after victory on the judges’ scorecards last time out.
While there is still concern for Chris’s one ‘struggle’ with the weight, it is possible he could make the contracted stipulation of 160 lb before fight night with more ease.
Conor Benn’s gym mate reveals a different game plan for Chris Eubank Jr rematch
As ‘The Destroyer’ did not find any difficulty making the weight, early predictions are favouring the 28-year-old to come in heavier than last time.
But the changes he needed were not in his weight; instead, his game plan against the more experienced boxer was picked out by experts as the reason for him falling short on the cards.
Now, with the first fight boxed off, his gym mate and former boxer, John Ryder, has revealed how he will attempt to fight ‘Next Gen’ in the rematch to get his win back.
In an interview with Boxing Life Stories, the former Canelo Alvarez opponent explained: “I think Conor will use his head more now. I think he let his heart rule him a bit that night. He’ll be a lot more smart, box a lot better. He’ll come away with a win there.
“If Conor lets his heart rule his head again, then he can play into Chris’s hands. But I think he’s learned his lessons from last time. Ultimately, it was a very close fight.
“But I think Conor will just be better prepared now… I think he might even come in a bit heavy himself and just feel better and be able to impose himself.”
Conor had hurt Chris on occasions in the contest, with the Brighton boxer dipping down at times after a heavy shot, although the consistency of the attacks wore him out down the stretch.
However, ‘The Gorilla’, who works closely in the gym with head coach Tony Sims, believes the tactical change will pay off because it will prevent Benn from continuing a habit from the inaugural clash.
“I mean Conor was swinging from his hips and missing wildly, but I think Conor Benn will listen to Tony (Sims) more now and then just go and try and box his ears off,” Ryder said.
Chris Eubank Jr’s manager provides an update on Chris Eubank Sr’s involvement in the Conor Benn rematch
One of the most memorable parts of the event was not even the fight itself, but the arrival of Chris Eubank Sr after dismissing the fight, and his involvement throughout the whole build-up.
The reaction to the moment will live on in British boxing infamy, and many are interested to see what role, if any, he will play in the rematch.
Eubank Jr’s manager, Elliott Amoakoh, AKA Napper, has spoken to IFL TV and was asked if we could see a return of Sr to the corner of his son.
Napper said: “I don’t think he’ll be around the camp. I hope he’ll probably be at the fight. I don’t think it changes anything mentally on him. He’s mentally one of the strongest guys I know.
“He went through a lot, leading up to that fight, that is up to him if he ever wants to share it, and he still performed the way that he did. The guy is something else.”
Although the legendary boxer has already given his opinion on the rematch, he may turn up at Tottenham’s stadium once again to the delight of fans.