Conor Benn and team have made it clear that their goal is to reschedule the previously cancelled Chris Eubank Jr fight, and promises of a February date had some fans convinced it was almost done.
Benn and Eubank were set to fight last October before news broke during fight week of the 26-year-old failing an anti-doping test.
Eubank has had two fights with Liam Smith in the time since, losing the first by stoppage but getting his revenge in a similar fashion second time around.
Benn’s battle has been largely outside the ropes but he is currently free from suspension, albeit without a British license to fight. The Board of Control and UK Anti-Doping Agency have appealed the decision and that part of the saga is expected to play out early next year.
As of now, he’s free to fight, and after a ten-round return in Florida, his team set about recommencing talks with Eubank. Despite the clear obstacles, there were positive whisperings that the fight would go ahead at the middleweight limit of 160lbs in the UK.
Now, Dan Rafael reports that a source tells him the fight is close to collapse due to financial issues on Benn’s side.
Per source involved, the Conor Benn-Chris Eubank Jr. fight that Matchroom is planning for February is falling apart over money on the Benn side. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) November 16, 2023
In a since-deleted tweet, Benn poked fun at the veteran reporter before saying he was ‘wrong again.’
Promoter Eddie Hearn told Boxing Social that he is targeting Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 3, and that everything on Benn’s side was agreed but he was waiting for sign-off from Eubank and his promotional backers, Wasserman.
That date will see another domestic clash in Joshua Buatsi versus Dan Azeez, promoted by BOXXER and broadcast on Sky Sports.