Chris Eubank Jr’s promoter claims his long-awaited fight against Conor Benn could finally happen THIS YEAR… after the rivals scrapped talks over a showdown in February
- The rivals have been in talks to stage their highly anticipated fight for some time now
- However, Chris Eubank’s promoter says the fight could finally happen this year
- The 2022 fight between Eubank and Benn was called off after the latter’s positive drug test
Chris Eubank’s promoter has claimed his fighter could finally fight bitter rival Conor Benn this year – after numerous setbacks postponed their highly anticipated showdown.
Eubank and Benn were initially set to fight in October 2022, before a positive drugs test from the latter just days before the fight led to the fight being cancelled, with the legendary fighter Nigel’s son handed a ban.
Benn – who denies wrongdoing – has since been trying to clear his name after the banned substance clomiphene was found in his system. He claimed that the positive test could be due to the consumption of eggs.
Although his suspension was later lifted by the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) in July, Benn still faces a possible two-year ban in this country pending the outcome of appeals against that decision by the British Board of Boxing Control (BBBofC). and UK Anti-Doping, as first reported by Mail Sport.
Benn has been fighting in America ever since while awaiting that decision, and last year he turned down opportunities to face Eubank Jr. after their talks to stage a fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 3 were called off last year, claiming his rival wanted ‘foolish money’.
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn were finally able to organize their long-awaited fight this year
Eubank’s promoter Kalle Sauerland was optimistic the fight would ever happen – despite numerous delays and setbacks
But now Eubank’s promoter Kalle Sauerland has given a positive view of the fight and said a showdown could even be agreed for this year – although he admitted this was ‘a gamble’.
When asked if he could see a fight happening, he said talksport: ‘I do. I think you’ll see it sooner rather than later, it feels like it’s been talked about for twenty years.
Sauerland was then asked if he could give a time frame, adding, “This year I would guess, but that’s just a guess.”
The promoter – who runs Wasserman Boxing – revealed the two parties were ‘close’ to talks and said it was an ‘easy deal’ to get done, having previously agreed terms.
The pair were set to fight in October 2022 before Benn’s positive drug test, and recently scrapped talks to face off in February.
Benn has remained active with two unanimous wins in the US, while he awaits the outcome of a decision to suspend him in Britain
“I think we were close last year, I just think it took too long and things like that blow up in boxing. It’s not on the table at the moment, it’s not being talked about.
“I think Benn has a hearing this week, but I’m not part of the Benn team. That would have a big impact on how that fight is viewed, even though he just fought in Vegas and there is the possibility of doing it abroad.
“But at the moment there is no discussion about it, it’s actually a pretty simple deal to make if things go his way with his audience, but at the moment there are no discussions.
Eubank, meanwhile, lost to Liam Smith last year before avenging the defeat later in 2023
“I don’t like to speak for Junior, but he’s signed for that fight before, that fight is a lot bigger now than when he signed for it, given the two years of storylines, so yeah, I guess it’s quite would be high in the rankings. ranking (for him).”
Benn – whose promoter Eddie Hearn has been pushing for a fight with Gervonta Davis in recent weeks – has fought twice since his Eubank Jr clash was called off.
He has scored two unanimous victories over Rodolfo Orozco and Peter Dobson in the United States to keep himself active.
Eubank Jr, meanwhile, was stunned by defeat to Liam Smith last year before getting revenge with his own KO win later in 2023.