Eddie Hearn has responded to comments from British Boxing Board of Control secretary Robert Smith regarding a potential fight between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr in Abu Dhabi.
Smith stated in interviews this week that the BBBofC would be ‘unlikely’ to allow Eubank to step in the ring with Benn, even if the fight took place outside of the UK.
Hearn was flabbergasted when speaking to Boxing Social about Smith’s claims, describing them as “wild” before adding that he would “see how that plays out.”
“I think Robert Smith’s comments are wild. This is one of the problems in the whole situation. You’ve never heard the board comment publicly to the media, this is like a propaganda machine!”
“To talk about having power over other jurisdictions internationally is a very awkward conversation legally, and we have to get our position on it as well.”
“If he wants to stop Conor Benn fighting internationally and stop British fighters from having the opportunity to fight him, we’ll see how that plays out.”
“Our plan is still Conor Benn fights in June, unquestionably.”
Eubank Jr appears to have moved past the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Kell Brook as a clear frontrunner to land a big money fight with Benn, just six months after their originally scheduled meeting infamously collapsed.
This is in spite of recent news that ‘Next Gen’ had activated a contractual rematch clause against Liam Smith, by whom he was knocked out at the Manchester Arena back in January.
Any fight between the pair will reportedly take place at the middleweight limit of 160lbs, as opposed to the controversial 157lbs catchweight limit that their October showdown was due to take place at.