Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr were set to meet at a catchweight in 2022.
There were many intriguing strands to the fight, not least the familial rivalry it would be reigniting after their fathers battled it out twice in the early nineties.
It all fell apart when news broke during fight week that Benn had tested positive for a banned substance. The fight was pulled and the 27-year-old’s career was on the ropes.
Despite not being able to fight under the British Boxing Board of Control, he has had two return wins against lower level opposition on US shores. The case for the banned substance is ongoing.
In the meantime Eubank has faced Liam Smith twice, losing the first but avenging that in the rematch. He recently signed a deal with BOXXER and has set out a hit list that includes Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, Terence Crawford, a rematch with Billy Joe Saunders and Benn.
Speaking to IFL TV, Hearn dismissed the talk of world titles from Eubank and said he was only interested in the biggest money bout. That is, the promoter believes, Benn, and he says it will happen in the first part of 2025.
“Chris Eubank Jr’s got one thing on his mind – it stars with ‘m’, ends with ‘y’ and it’s got ‘one’ in the middle. That’s all he cares about. He ain’t bothered about legacy, he ain’t bothered about championships, he wants the moneys. And the moneys are to fight Conor Benn. So, Chris Eubank Jr, you can say about this fight, say about that fight, but if you want the moneys let’s play. And we will play in the first quarter of 2025.”
Benn faced yet another setback in his comeback when the BBBofC and UKAD had appeals upheld to reinstate his suspension. It has been all quiet since then, but not in the background, and his promoter says he could be back as early as the end of this year.
“We’re waiting on a decision. He’s dealing with things with his lawyers. He will be ready to fight hopefully at the end of this year, but without doubt in early 2025. He’s ready to go straight into that Chris Eubank fight, for the moneys.”
The fight, as it did first time around and now with the added controversy, will draw extreme attention.
