After a soap opera spanning the best part of a year, it looks like Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr may finally lock horns this autumn.
The two family rivals had been scheduled to face in October 2022, before dramatic news of Benn failing a drug test broke on fight week and the event was scrapped at the last minute.
In a recent interview with The National, Matchroom CEO Frank Smith revealed discussions were well underway to stage the grudge match in Abu Dhabi on September 23rd.
“We’ve been back and forward to Abu Dhabi over the last few months, working through plans with the DCT, and the aim is to deliver an event on September 23 at Etihad Arena,”
“Hopefully within the next week or so we’ll be able to get something up and running. But they’re the discussions right now, and the focus for us is to bring the Eubank-Benn fight over.”
“I’m very confident that that’s the fight we’re going to be able to deliver. There’s work to be done – as I said, we’re still working through the detail with the DCT – but I’m very confident we’ll be able to get that fight over the line for that date.”
The door was opened for a fight between Benn and Eubank Jr after the latter’s rematch with Liam Smith, which was due to take place on July 1st, was cancelled.
There will be those who heavily criticise the fight, should it take place whilst Benn’s dispute with UKAD is still unresolved, as ‘The Destroyer’ remains suspended at the time of writing.