Shalom Demands Eubank Jr. vs. Benn Deal This Week

January 8, 2025
1 month
Shalom Demands Eubank Jr. vs. Benn Deal This Week

Ben Shalom has thrown down the gauntlet over a fight between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn, stating that it must be agreed this week. 

The pair have been linked with a fight for some time. Their 2022 fight was canceled after Benn failed VADA tests for Clomiphene. UKAD responded by suspending him as he went through a legal battle that exceeded two years. The National Anti-Doping Agency recently removed his suspension. Meanwhile, UKAD has said they would not appeal, which allows Benn the opportunity to box.

Reports indicate that Eubank Jr. has agreed a 55 percent split in his favor to make the fight. But it is alleged that Benn’s camp want a 50-50 split. An equal split was more realistic before Benn failed his VADA tests. The failed VADA tests have damaged his reputation significantly, with the public still not fully understanding why he was cleared. However, Benn has also indicated that he is open to facing the WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios

The Barrios fight makes more sense from a career point of view. It offers him the opportunity to win his first world title. It is also in his natural weight class, whereas he would have to move up to face Eubank at 160 pounds. Barrios is also not in the best form, having secured a split draw in his last fight against Abel Ramos. Eubank Jr. has hit out at Benn by saying that his team’s financial demands are why the fight has not happened. Shalom has now said that time is of the essence.

Reaction

“Of course they don’t want to budge. These guys, their greed is what’s stopping the fight from happening. The bottom line is the A-side doesn’t split 50/50 with the B-side and I am the A-side. Once they comes to terms with that then the fight will be made. Absolutely. We want those belts and Lara, he has the belt,” Eubank Jr. said

“If a deal is going to be made, it’s going to be made this week. We want to make the fight; they want to make the fight, but now it’s crunch time. It can be hard with a fight of this magnitude, particularly when there is so much bad blood. It’s not like the first time, there’s a genuine rivalry now,” Shalom said

Alternatively, Eubank could pursue a title fight at 160 pounds. He could face the WBA champion, Erislandy Lara. The latter is 41-years-old, meaning Eubank may fancy his chances of winning that fight. While Eubank has secured the IBO belt at 160 before, it has never been seen as a legitimate belt. But a Lara fight will not bring him the big payday that a Eubank fight would. Eubank is also 34, meaning he does not have many years left at the top level. But if a compromise can be reached, it will earn both men the biggest purses of their career. 

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