Chris Eubank Jr’s promoter, Kalle Sauerland, has claimed that the fight with Conor Benn will happen in the future and that it is a bigger event than it was before the doping drama.
In one of the most shocking boxing stories of the year, the much-anticipated fight between Eubank and Benn which would reignite a family rivalry was pulled at the last minute when the latter was revealed to have failed a drug test.
Whilst Benn now protests his innocence and prepares – or currently takes part in – an investigation into the banned substance found in his system, his almost-opponent is moving on.
Despite fans not seeing the two fighters face off in 2022, Sauerland was positive when asked by Boxing Social if it would be rescheduled in the future.
“Yeah of course. I mean, it’s a fight that’s huge. We just have to think about Junior now … but at the end of the day, the Benn fight, should be be cleared, doesn’t go away. It becomes arguably bigger … I say that in a politically correct way. We all know it’s a bigger fight. So absolutely it’s one that will happen.”
As for when, it’s no secret that the timing rests on Benn’s shoulder, and will become clearer when his status as a clean fighter is put to trial. Sauerland, despite his involvement in the fight, doesn’t know any more than the public, and points out that Benn’s promoters, Matchroom, likely don’t either.
“It’s a personal case. It’s not a Matchroom case. So often those questions, I think they need to be directed more at Conor Benn, but, at the same time, Conor Benn will be under very strict instruction of what he can and can’t say from his lawyers.”
As for Eubank Jr’s immediate plans, Sauerland confirmed that the focus was still on facing Liam Smith in the new year. Whilst not officially announced, the promoter is confident that the planning is progressing well. In fact, he said it ‘will be a very fast announcement for a date that’s very soon.’