Chris Eubank Jr has a decision to make on his next opponent – and reports suggest that he’s close to doing so.
The Brighton-born fighter was due to face Conor Benn in October last year in an event that had captured the public’s attention mostly due to the fights their fathers, Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn, shared three decades prior.
All hype was cut short when it was revealed that Benn had tested positive for a banned substance, though, and the family rivalry stayed buried for the time being.
As Benn fought to clear his name – something that still hasn’t happened in the eyes of the British Boxing Board of Control – Eubank took a middleweight fight with Liam Smith in January.
Smith handed him the first stoppage loss of his career – a sensational TKO in the fourth that saw the previously praised chin of Eubank crack under pressure from punches.
Eubank had a rematch clause in the contract, and activated it not long after. No movement has been made on that front since, though, and his name has been increasingly linked with Benn’s ring return, which he and promoter Eddie Hearn are setting up for June in the Middle East.
The most recent reports from Sun Sport now suggest that Eubank will bypass the second Smith fight to reignite the Benn beef in Abu Dhabi on June 3.
One of the biggest talking points from their previously scheduled contest was a 157lb catchweight, something that is unlikely to be the case this time around given the response to Eubank’s painfully drained figure on the scales and Benn’s newfound lack of bargaining stemming from a damaged reputation.
Eubank was in the gym training this week, seemingly confirming that his next fight will be finalised soon.