Frampton views this as an “unfair” fight, pointing out that it creates a no-win scenario for Benn’s reputation due to him fighting a smaller fighter.
If Benn wins, the narrative will be that he beat a 37-year-old career 140-pounder who was forced up to a 150 lb catchweight and was already showing signs of a heavy decline. If Benn struggles or, in a massive upset, loses, his status as a top-tier contender effectively disappears.
“I think Conor’s youth and size is probably going to be enough,” Frampton said to Pro Boxing Fans. “But it’s unfair, especially considering the noise that was made about the rehydration clause in the Eubank fight. How do you bring a career 140 guy up to 150? I don’t like it.”
Frampton’s point about the rehydration clause is the evidence for why this fight feels like a mismatch. He’s highlighting a glaring double standard in how Benn’s team handles weight depending on whether they are the smaller or larger fighter.
When Benn was the smaller man moving up to face Eubank, his team insisted on a strict 10 lb rehydration limit of 170 lb maximum on fight morning. This was a safety measure to ensure Eubank didn’t balloon up and use his natural size to overwhelm Benn.
Now that Conor is the naturally larger man, those safety concerns have seemingly vanished. Prograis revealed that his team actually requested a weight stipulation or rehydration clause, but Benn’s side denied every request.
Frampton’s frustration stems from the fact that Prograis is being pulled up to a catchweight of 150 lbs, a career high for him, while Benn is free to rehydrate as much as he wants.
“I’ve seen Regis up close and personal, and I was surprised at how small he looked,” Frampton said. “If I’m being honest.”
As Carl noted, Prograis looked small even at 140. Bringing him up to 150-lb without a rehydration clause makes him vulnerable to a naturally larger, more explosive welterweight.
If the result is predictable because of these manufactured advantages, the win becomes an empty statistic rather than a statement of skill.
From a promotional standpoint, it’s a calculated move. Get Benn a win over a former two-time World Champion on a massive platform, Netflix, co-main to Fury vs. Makhmudov, to rebuild his brand.
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