Conor Benn called a "Hypocrite" for turning down Lewis Crocker IBF world title shot

Conor Benn turns down shot at IBF champion Lewis Crocker due to rehydration clause

"The Destroyer" Conor Benn has officially turned down a shot at IBF champion Lewis Crocker , stating his reasons for the rejection as: “I’m not really interested [in Lewis Crocker]. There is bigger fish to fry in my opinion…

“For me, it’s about the 10-pound rehydration clause. I would rather win the WBC belt… or fight a big American name.”

His refusal to accept the limitations on rehydrating has caused a huge backlash among boxing fans after his last two fights with Chris Eubank Jr. had strict rehydration clauses in the contract for his opponent, placing him at a huge disadvantage.

Martin Bakole's long-term trainer, Billy Nelson, was quick to point out the obvious, condemning Conor on X: "Watched Connor Benn getting interviewed saying he wouldn’t fight Lewis Crocker because of the 11lbs hydration [clause] the IBF have. Double standards or what ffs Lewis ain’t no drained CEJ."

A boxing fan on Facebook shared Nelson's opinion, writing: "Won't let Eubank Jr. rehydrate above 10lbs then turns down the exact same situation when it's against him, knowing full well how debilitating it can be. Hypocrite just doesn't even cut it, I mean, come on!"

Another echoed the statement; "So he made Eubank do it, but won't do it himself. All respect gone."

And a further agreed: "So he made Eubank stay within a 10lbs limit, but admitting he wouldn't ever agree to it himself is a full confession to say it's too much of a disadvantage to have. So he made his opponent come into two fights with him at a disadvantage he would never accept himself. Games gone!"

Two-weight IBO world middleweight champion Chris Eubank Jr. won the first fight against Conor Benn in April via unanimous decision, but he was pushed to his limits by the younger man.

In the November rematch, he was a shadow of his former self, clearly weight drained and exhausted from a difficult training camp, as Benn floored him twice in the final round to win via a wide unanimous decision.

The 29-year-old Benn has called out welterweight world champions Mario Barrios (WBC), Rolly Romero (WBA), Devin Haney (WBO), but is seemingly dismissing any chance of fighting for the IBF, held by Crocker.

Things you didn’t know about Conor Benn