Benn Says The Eubank Jr. Fight Is ‘One Of The Biggest British Fights In History’

November 25, 2024

6 days

Benn Says The Eubank Jr. Fight Is 'One Of The Biggest British Fights In History'

Conor Benn says talks are underway for a fight with Chris Eubank Jr.

Benn was meant to face Eubank Jr. in 2022. However, the fight was called off after Benn failed VADA tests for Clomiphene. He was suspended by UKAD as an investigation continued. His suspension has been lifted, subject to UKAD having the right to appeal. If UKAD does not appeal, then Benn will have the chance to apply for his British license to make that fight. The fight was originally agreed for a 157-pound catchweight.

That would have been the lowest that Eubank Jr. has ever made. Meanwhile, Benn would be coming up from 147 pounds. Eubank Jr.’s father, Chris Eubank Sr., was against the fight going ahead due to safety concerns. That soured the relationship between the Eubanks. However, Eubank Jr. has said he hopes a Benn fight will bring the pair together. Now, talks have begun with real optimism that the fight will happen.

Benn On Eubank

“I believe negotiations have started. It’s been very turbulent in terms of me going through what I was going through, in terms of the legal case. But now that that’s cleared, negotiations are on the way. It’s one of the biggest British domestic fights in history. I don’t think two fathers and two sons have ever fought [like this]. It’s about history. It’s about legacy,” Benn said

If talks break down, there is an alternative with Mario Barrios. Barrios holds the WBC Welterweight Title. He is coming off a draw against Abel Ramos on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson card. It was not his finest performance as questions remain over whether there will be a rematch. Barrios was also linked with a fight against Manny Pacquiao prior to the Ramos fight. The fight did not go ahead, but it would have given Barrios his biggest payday. A fight with Benn could produce that if the world title bout happened in the UK. Benn has shown he has a following in the UK. Benn has also indicated that Barrios is one of his targets.

Options

However, there is an argument that Benn has done nothing to deserve the Barrios fight. Eddie Hearn’s other fighter, Jaron Ennis, is better primed to get that fight. Boots has the IBF Welterweight Title. He made the second defense of his title, beating Karen Chukhadzhian in his last fight. Boots has struggled to make a unification at 147. Talks with Brian Norman Jr. broke down.

Reports said Norman Jr. wanted more than the $1.7 million that was offered, with claims he wanted $2.2 million. Hearn recently urged Ennis to unify at 147. Otherwise, he may have to move up to 154. With Ennis and Benn both under Matchroom, Hearn may well favor Jaron for the Barrios fight, leaving Benn with plenty to consider.

“DAZN has invested a lot of money in ‘Boots’ Ennis, and the plan was to do a big unification fight [at 47] in the spring, so obviously, this fight would land on February 22 in Saudi Arabia. If it’s acceptable to DAZN [to make the Ortiz fight] and the plan that they have for Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, we’re OK with it. We accept that fight, Jaron accepts the fight. BUT, we are talking to the other [welterweight] champions about a potential unification at 147 because [Ennis] hasn’t got long left [in that weight class]. The reason that we took the last fight against Chukhadzhian was to keep the [IBF welterweight] belt and to unify,” Hearn said