This situation redefined what happened at Madison Square Garden.

Immediately after Stevenson defeated Teofimo Lopez, Ben was invited into the ring. The two stood face to face and exchanged opinions. In a face-to-face conversation, Stevenson told Benn to sign the contract. Ben responded, and the conversation continued for a moment before the broadcast cut off. However, no weight terms were discussed during the brief meeting inside the ring.

Ben then made it clear that he would not accept hydration restrictions. When asked directly whether he agreed to such terms, he declined. Stevenson later echoed the response and said that without the restrictions, the fight likely wouldn’t have happened.

The clause itself is no accident. Benn’s use of hydration restrictions against Eubank became a central issue in those games, shaping preparations and attracting criticism around the final bell. Applying the same rules here affects how the game is played.

From Stevenson’s perspective, this position is closely tied to his current status. His weight had just increased to 140 pounds. Ben is currently at welterweight and has broken through that limit. Stevenson said he would only fight if the conditions were right.

From Ben’s perspective, the rejection was consistent with his stated direction. He has returned to 147 and is looking for a championship opportunity in that division. He has not yet agreed to the restriction.

Ben’s presence sparked interest in the game. The rehydration provision was controversial.

Stevenson walked out of the building with a brand new belt around his waist. Now, whether he can actually win this fight all depends on Ben’s willingness to play by his rules.