Chris Eubank Sr has once again said that a fight between his son and Conor Benn will never happen, but this time has suggested an alternative route.
Eubank Jr and Benn’s ill-fated rivalry was first derailed in October of 2022 just days before they were due to fight. Positive doping tests from Benn saw it pulled, and, despite some talks since, the contest still seems a long way off.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, Eubank Sr was confident it would never happen, and aired his consistent concerns about the weight class.
“That fight, I mean they’re still talking about it. But it doesn’t make sense how they would put so much energy into producing another fight, knowing that I said it’s not gonna happen. And the reason it’s not gonna happen – my son is now walking around at 13st 5lbs, that’s 187lbs. So for him to lose 27lbs to get down to middleweight… this is a man’s life, he will never get down to that weight again, ever.”
The initial fight was set at a catchweight of 157lbs, but any further talks have been for middleweight, the division in which Eubank fought twice last year.
Senior would like to see him settle at super-middle’s 168 limit, and wants undisputed champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in the opposite corner.
“Let’s get to the point, Canelo is the only person he’s gonna be able to fight now to redeem any type of respect from the fighting public. Real fighters, real boxing people. I know how you win respect, it’s not beating a Liam Smith.
“Junior this is what my view is – your saving grace is going to be Canelo. You’re never gonna get back down to 160lbs, I won’t allow that to happen anyway. You’re a 168lbs fighter, Canelo is your way to win respect and you cannot beat him, not Canelo. The only way you can beat him is if daddy is next to you. That’s it.”
Eubank’s next move, if known, has been kept quiet so far.