Given what transpired, one is instantly transported back in time. Over three decades since their fathers famously clashed, Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn are now poised for a thrilling showdown of their own. Due to the difference in their natural weight classes, the fight, a non-title bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, is set at a 160-pound middleweight.

But controversy has followed the final weigh-in. 28-year-old Benn comfortably made weight at 156.4 pounds, 3.6 pounds under the maximum limit. However, Eubank Jr. tipped the scale at 160.05 pounds, just slightly over the agreed middleweight limit. What makes it even more intriguing is that this came after Eubank initially weighed in at 160.2 pounds, prompting a second attempt that still fell short of the mark. It’s hard not to draw parallels to April 20, 2024, when Ryan Garcia fought Devin Haney. Garcia missed the weight by 3.2 pounds. Though the bout still went ahead, Garcia reportedly paid Haney around $1.5 million for the infraction, $500,000 for each pound he was over. In Eubank Jr.’s case, missing weight triggered a financial penalty. Thankfully, the incident won’t affect the fight itself.

Chris Eubank’s payday: Breaking down the split

To understand the fine’s impact, we first need to estimate Chris Eubank Jr.’s expected payout. A few months ago, his promoter, BOXXER’s Ben Shalom, reportedly claimed that his camp had negotiated a 55/45 split in favor of Eubank Jr. Based on an overall purse of £18 million (approximately $23,963,400 at current exchange rates), Eubank Jr. could potentially earn £10 million, or $13.3 million. Conor Benn, on the other hand, would receive £8 million, or about $10.65 million.

That said, there have been conflicting claims. It appears, back in February, Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, who represents Benn, asserted the split was actually 60/40 in Benn’s favor. A figure Eubank Jr. later dismissed as false.

However, a review of multiple reports suggests that Eubank Jr. is still likely to take home the bigger payday. And even after deducting a $500,000 fine, his earnings would still top $12.8 million. Not a bad night’s work considering it’s not even a world title fight.

Counting the millions: Eubank Jr.’s career payouts

According to ‘Sporty Salaries, Chris Eubank Jr.’s current net worth stands in the neighborhood of $7.5 million. It basically includes the boxing purses and the money he makes from the sponsorship and endorsement deals. Beginning his career back in 2011, the son of legend Chris Eubank has thus far participated in 37 professional fights. Details of the payouts he received during the initial phase of his career remain scarce. Nonetheless, Eubank Jr. began earning a significant six-figure income once he started facing well-known opponents.

For instance, though he suffered his first career loss, Eubank Jr. earned $150,000 for his 2014 bout against Billy Joe Saunders. By the following year, his annual income had climbed to nearly half a million dollars, and it only grew from there.

From the two fights against Liam Smith, which include his third professional defeat and first KO loss, Eubank Jr. reportedly made around £2.5 million, or over $3 million. It took him a year to step into the ring. When he faced Kamil Szeremeta on the Riyadh Season card, he pocketed another $850,000.

So, what’s your take? Was it fair to impose such a hefty fine for such a marginal weight difference?