Eubank Vs. Benn Allegedly Agreed For December 23rd, Hearn Speaks Out

In the latest boxing news, Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn has reportedly been agreed for December 23rd, 2023.

The pair have long been linked with a fight ever since the first bout broke down. An agreement was in place for Benn to face Eubank at a catchweight of 157 pounds.

However, after Benn failed two VADA tests for Clomiphene, this resulted in the fight being pulled. The British Boxing Board of Control refused to sanction the fight, as an investigation was launched.

That resulted in the fighter being suspended in April. Although that may have been the case, the National Anti-Doping Agency removed the suspension.

In response, UKAD and the BBBofC appealed the decision. As this was ongoing, Benn was technically allowed to box. Thereafter, Benn made his return against Rodolfo Orozco, whom he beat via a unanimous decision.

But given that Benn must still go through an appeal, there are moral questions over whether the fighter should box. And yet, it seems that Hearn is going ahead with plans to make the fight.

Eubank-Benn

“Mail Sport understands some clarity on Benn’s immediate future is expected next week, when a meeting will determine which arbitration body will hear the appeal raised by the British Boxing Board of Control and UK Anti-Doping against the decision made by the National Anti-Doping Panel in July to lift his suspension. Sources have indicated to Mail Sport that it could be December or January before such an appeal is heard, let alone resolved,” Sources

This naturally begs the question: what will occur if Benn’s appeal is not resolved by then? As of now, the boxer is not allowed to box in the UK.

That is problematic given that both fighters have a massive UK fanbase, which was the primary reason for the fight being talked about. The same cannot be said if the bout was made overseas.

And yet, if the fight is not held on domestic soil, then Hearn has a back up plan in place by potentially putting it in the Middle East. And the promoter has backed the magnitude of the fight to drum up the interest.

Hearn On Eubank-Benn

“The fight is so much bigger than before for many reasons. Firstly, when Eubank got beat by [Liam] Smith, I feel like the [Benn vs. Eubank Jr.] fight got a little bit smaller, but when he won the rematch, the fight became bigger. The controversy, the people talking about Conor, the opinion, the love, the hate, whatever it could be. The things that Eubank has said, Conor has taken it really badly and personally, and so has Nigel.

“So, you see, the first fight, it was Eubank-Benn, it was the rivalry. Both guys, they knew about the history, they knew about the family rivalry, but they never really disliked each other. Now, with all the noise, with all the names, with all the history comes hatred, and that makes the fight so much bigger,” Hearn stated 

Nevertheless, there is the question of whether the British public would accept a bout going ahead given the dark cloud hanging over Benn.

And at a time when DAZN faces serious question marks over its viability as an alternative platform, would a Benn-Eubank fight help the network?