Frank Smith has hit back at criticism of the weight limit imposed on Chris Eubank Jr for his now postponed fight with Conor Benn – saying some of those most vocal were attempting to make a fight with Jr and Kell Brook at the same weight.
The Matchroom Boxing CEO, speaking to Boxing Social, took a pop at rival promoter Ben Shalom who had done prior interviews to voice concerns about the effect of the 157lb weight limit on Eubank.
“People are very quick to jump on the bandwagon. I see Ben Shalom on Talksport with Simon Jordan. I’m not talking down on people but people are very quick to jump on the bandwagon – they [Boxxer] were trying to make the Kell Brook [vs Eubank] fight at 157lbs.”
“So, you can’t pick and choose.”
Concern about Eubank’s health began to emerge during fight week, with the 33-year-old looking dried out and gaunt in the face in the days approaching the Friday weigh in.
Whether the fight between Eubank and Benn is ever rescheduled remains well and truly up in the air, with a degree of clarity expected once the results of Benn’s ‘B’ sample are confirmed by VADA.
It is reported that Benn could be looking at a ban of up to four years if found guilty, however, Eddie Hearn says he expects a lot of people to change their minds when all the facts come out.