Benn and Eubank Jr not close to rescheduled fight – Hearn

By Sports Desk March 29, 2023

A rescheduled bout between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr is not yet close, but the former's promoter Eddie Hearn is still determined to make it happen.

The two had been due to meet in an all-British encounter last October before it was scrapped at short notice after Benn failed a drugs test.

Though Benn was subsequently restored to the WBC rankings, he remains barred by the British Boxing Board of Control from competing in the UK.

Suggestions earlier this week pointed to an announcement for a June fight in Abu Dhabi, but Hearn has now pushed back against claims a deal is near.

"It's definitely not [signed]," he told BBC Sport. "Conor Benn's had a number of offers internationally to fight, [like] Manny Pacquiao.

"Kell Brook was in the office yesterday – he's desperate to fight Conor Benn as well. For me, the fight I want to make is the rescheduled Chris Eubank fight."

Any bout between Benn and Eubank Jr would need the latter to get permission from the BBBofC, given the former is currently unsanctioned.

Both men are unlikely to get their blessing, however, with general secretary Robert Smith stating they would not back a fight in another country.

"If the situation remains as it is today then I would think that would be unlikely," Smith told The Guardian. "But we have not had any applications."

Eubank Jr last fought in January, when he was defeated by Liam Smith, while Benn had been strongly linked with a bout against Pacquiao, who is eyeing a return from his second retirement.

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