British boxing fans have been eagerly awaiting a confirmation of the Conor Benn vs Chris Eubank Jr fight, which according to reports has been ‘pencilled in’ for October 8th at the O2 Arena in London.
The fight would rekindle a rivalry between the two families led by their fathers 30 years ago. Due to the size and history of the contest it’s almost certain to be the first pay-per-view event in the UK for broadcaster DAZN.
Boxing commentator, Gareth A. Davies, was the first to confirm the teams were in talks and even suggested the fight had been ‘signed’.
Davies had previously told TalkSport:
“I’m happy to say that this fight is going ahead.”
“I’m not announcing it obviously because it’s not my prerogative to do that, but my understanding is this fight is sealed.”
Eubank Jr is naturally the bigger man with most of his fights coming at Middleweight (160lbs), whereas Benn competes within the Welterweight (147lbs) division.
With a catch-weight of 156lbs apparently agreed, rumours have been circulating that the issue holding up the announcement is down to a rehydration clause in the contract – such a clause would not allow Eubank to come in considerably heavier on fight night.
Whilst speaking to IFL TV, Davies backtracked slightly from his original position that the fight was ‘signed’, but still expects the matchup to take place:
“It could fall apart at the 11th hour, you never know. But I do think that they are really seriously looking to make this fight and it’s one that will capture the imagination of the British public.”
“I think we may well get it [the fight announcement] this week, if not next.”
Another fight within Conor Benn’s division rumoured to be on the verge of being announced, is the undisputed Welterweight clash between Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford.
For many hardcore fans this is ‘the’ fight to make in boxing. Davies however made a stunning prediction that the all-British shootout would do ‘more numbers’ than a fight between the two p4p stars:
“Is it a mainstream crossover fight? Neither of those guys really promotes hard. They’re brilliant characters, they’ve got amazing narratives, but does it really touch the mainstream?”
“Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr will probably do more numbers than them [Spence vs Crawford].”