The Connor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr fight is not happening, and Jr’s promoter Kalle Sauerland says ‘it hasn’t been an option’ despite claims to the contrary from Benn’s promoter, Eddie Hearn.
Benn and Eubank were originally due to renew the rivalries of their fathers on October 8 last year, but following Benn’s failure of two VADA drug tests the event was canned.
Lately, and despite Benn’s ongoing doping predicament, Eddie Hearn has said on more than one occasion that it was likely to be rescheduled for The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium or Wembley on September 23.
As of writing, the world continues to await the outcome of a hearing for Benn and he remains unlicensed by the British Boxing Board of Control.
Speaking to IFL TV, Sauerland was asked how far conversations progressed.
“I’ve said it all along. We speak a lot to Matchroom. We have boxers, other projects together, etc etc, so of course it’s been mentioned but at the same time, it hasn’t been an option because it simply hasn’t been on the table.
There’s been a lot of speculation about locations and dates around that fight. Hey it’s a fight, I’m sure it will happen but it’s not on the table at the moment. It’s not possible to do. I like speculation, and I’m the wildest of thinkers, but at the same time you can only deal with what’s on the table.”
Instead, his man Eubank has signed for a rematch with fellow Brit and former world super welterweight titlist, Liam Smith, who he will be hoping to beat having been knocked out last time the pair met in January.
The fight takes place on September 2 at Manchester’s AO Arena and the road back to the top will be long for whoever loses.