Eubank Jr. Sets Sights On IBO Title After Benn Fight Collapses
Negotiations for a Chris Eubank Jr. and Connor Benn fight have officially collapsed.
The fight was on the cards when both boxers agreed to fight at 157-pound catchweight. It collapsed when Benn failed two VADA tests for Clomiphene, as the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) refused to sanction it. Benn protested against the findings by maintaining that he was innocent.
UKAD suspended the Brit in April as an investigation continued. The National Anti-Doping Agency lifted the suspension, allowing Ben to box outside the UK. However, reports indicated that the defense was based on jurisdiction regarding whether UKAD could enforce the VADA results.
Although Benn returned to beat Rodolfo Orozco in Florida, the BBBofC and UKAD have appealed the removal of the suspension. Therefore, Benn can only box in the UK after the hearing. Since the fight is only significant in the UK due to their fanbase, it has now collapsed.
Eubank Jr. Vs. Benn Off
“The Conor Benn discussions – unfortunately – have ended. That fight commercially couldn’t be made and yesterday the IBO have ordered their mandatory. A very tough 19-0 knockout specialist champion so we’ll be negotiating that now. I can just put it down to commercial reasons.
“I’m not gonna go into too much detail. I think that fight is always gonna be somewhere lingering. It will all depend on who wins and loses in the future. Is there still interest int he fight? Does Conor stay at that weight? Does Eubank go up? Those things are for the future and at the moment it’s all about what’s next for Eubank for us and it’s not Conor Benn,” Kalle Sauerland (Eubank’s promoter)
Eubank’s Next Steps
Now, Eubank’s focus will be on fighting for a world title. He is being linked with a bout against the IBO middleweight champion Etinosa Oliha. The latter is currently undefeated with a record of 19 wins, with eight by stoppage. Eubank will fancy his chances since that is not a high knockout percentage.
The Brit has one of the best chins in the sport after only being stopped in one fight following his loss to Liam Smith. A win over Oliha places Eubank in more significant bouts with a potential Jermall Charlo fight if the WBC middleweight champion stays at 160. Either way, the focus is on securing the biggest fights.
“I think the IBO is a belt that he’s worn in the past and it’s a belt he’s had many big fights with and it is what it is. It’s about getting into those big fights, it’s a tough challenge, it’s a champion who is 19-0, undefeated, a big knockout boxer. So, ultimately we’ll see what happens with those negotiations. It’s been mandated so we’ve got to work out does that go to a purse bid or do we find a deal with them?” Sauerland stated
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