Chris Eubank’s promoter has claimed his fighter could finally face off against bitter rival Conor Benn this year – after numerous set-backs delaying their eagerly anticipated showdown.
Eubank and Benn were initially set to fight in October 2022, before a positive drugs test from the latter just days before the fight caused the bout to be cancelled, with the son of legendary fighter Nigel receiving a ban.
Benn – who denies wrongdoing – has since been looking to clear his name after the banned substance clomifene was found in his system, claiming the positive test could have been down to consumption of eggs.
Although his suspension was later lifted by the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) in July, Benn is still facing a potential two-year ban in this country pending the outcome of appeals against that decision by the British Board of Boxing Control (BBBofC) and UK Anti-Doping, as first reported by Mail Sport.
Benn has since been fighting in America while awaiting that decision, and last year dismissed chances of facing Eubank Jr after their talks to stage a February 3 bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium were called off last year, claiming his rival wanted ‘silly money’.
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn could finally stage their highly-anticipated bout this year
Eubank’s promoter Kalle Sauerland was optimistic about the bout happening at some point – despite numerous delays and setbacks
But now Eubank’s promoter Kalle Sauerland has given a positive outlook of the fight, saying a showdown could even be agreed for this year – though he admitted that was ‘a guess’.
When asked if he could see a fight happening, he told talkSport: ‘I do. I think you’ll see it sooner rather than later, it feels like it’s been talked about for 20 years.
Sauerland was then pressed if he could give a timeframe, adding: ‘This year I would guess, but that’s just a guess.’
The promoter – who leads Wasserman Boxing – revealed the two parties were ‘close’ with discussions and said it was a ‘simple deal’ to put together, having already agreed on terms before.
The pair were slated to fight in October 2022 before Benn’s positive drugs test, and recently scrapped talks to face off this February
Benn has been keeping active with two unanimous victories in the US while he awaits the outcome of a decision to suspend him in the UK
‘I think we were close last year, I just think that it dragged on too long and things like that in boxing explode. It’s not on the table at the moment, it’s not being discussed.
‘I think Benn has a hearing this week but I’m not part of the Benn team. That would have a big impact on the way that fight’s seen, although he’s just fought in Vegas, and there’s the opportunity to do it abroad.
‘But right now it’s not being discussed, it’s actually quite a simple deal to put together if things go his way with his hearing but as of right now there’s no discussions.
Eubank, meanwhile, lost to Liam Smith last year before avenging the defeat later in 2023
‘I don’t like talking on behalf of Junior, but he’s signed for that fight before, that fight is much bigger now than when he signed for it given the two years of storylines, so yeah I assume it would be quite high up the rankings [for him].’
Benn – whose promoter Eddie Hearn has been pushing for a fight with Gervonta Davis in recent weeks – has fought twice since his Eubank Jr clash was called off.
He has pulled off two unanimous victories over Rodolfo Orozco and Peter Dobson in the Unites States to keep himself active.
Eubank Jr, meanwhile, was stunned by a stoppage defeat against Liam Smith last year before getting his revenge with his own KO victory later in 2023.