Conor Benn is in talks for a struggle with Chris Eubank Jr at middleweight in early 2025.
Benn was initially scheduled to field Eubank Jr in 2022, however the outcomes of two drug exams noticed that bout cancelled the week it was meant to happen.
Nevertheless earlier this month the unbiased Nationwide Anti-Doping Panel lifted Benn’s provisional suspension, saying it was “not comfortably satisfied” that UKAD had proved the 28-year-old had dedicated a doping offence.
The British Boxing Board of Management is presently contemplating reinstating his boxing licence and Benn is wanting ahead to competing once more within the UK.
His goal is a February showdown with Chris Eubank Jr, the son of his father, Nigel Benn’s nice rival Chris Eubank.
“I believe negotiations have started. It’s been very turbulent in terms of me going through what I was going through, in terms of the legal case. But now that that’s cleared, negotiations are on the way,” Benn informed Sky Sports activities.
“In my view, it is one of many greatest British home fights in historical past. I do not assume two fathers and two sons have ever fought [like this]. It is about historical past. It is about legacy.
“It’s the fight the public want. It’s been two years and I don’t think I’ve slipped from people’s minds for good or bad over the past two years.”
BOXXER’s Ben Shalom, who promotes Eubank Jr, believes that struggle will be made within the UK.
“We are moving closer to a deal. Chris wants the fight next, and I believe Connor does too. The fight is there to be made. There are positive talks and assuming Connor gets his license back, it should happen next,” Shalom informed Sky Sports activities.
“It’s not just about family legacy. There’s genuine animosity now. It’s the biggest fight in British boxing. It could sell out any stadium in the country and I believe it will happen in the UK.”
Benn’s phrases
Benn is keen to concede on the burden, he says it might happen at 160lbs. He’ll give Eubank Jr rights usually reserved for the ‘A-side’, like ring-walking second and billing the struggle as Eubank-Benn.
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Benn invaded the ring after Eubank Jr’s spectacular victory over Kamil Szeremeta and vowed to cease him inside three rounds!
“Just give me an 18-foot ring,” he mentioned and, he added: “No three-knockdown rule.”
He’ll go for a knockout then.
“The fight will be at 160lbs,” he mentioned. “You can have the ring walk second, you can have Eubank-Benn, you can have the home corner, I’m not petty about all that. You can have that. I’m no Prima donna.
But he added: “No three knockdown rule, 18 foot ring… Give me all of that.”
Talks ongoing
Benn’s trainer Tony Sims said talks are “ongoing for the time being”.
“We’re hoping it’ll be the Eubank struggle,” Sims told Sky Sports. “If the struggle does get made, he’ll go straight into that.
“He was going to fight him two years ago and he wasn’t as filled out as he is now so he’s probably more ready now than he was then.
“Eubank’s 35 years outdated. Eubank’s obtained the benefit in weight clearly however I believe Conor’s obtained the benefit in youth. It is extra of a good taking part in subject than it was two years in the past.
“The fathers are opposite personalities to one another,” Sims added. “Maybe Eubank feels aggrieved as [to] what went down, Conor Benn’s really aggrieved with what he [Eubank Jr] has done to him. He’s basically kicked him when he was down on the floor non-stop for two years.
“Now there’s a lot, a whole lot of needle in that struggle now.”
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Eubank Jr had some selection phrases for rival Benn after the pair clashed on the fighter lodge
February focused
February of subsequent 12 months is the time being focused for that struggle, although Benn insists he’d be capable of field sooner.
“February, God willing. I’m ready to go December,” Benn mentioned. “We’re aiming for February.
“I believed I might be cleared. I did not wish to be unprepared. I did not wish to be ‘oh I would like six months to prepare.’ I did not wish to must lose a great deal of weight,” he explained. “I needed to be prepared.
“I feel rejuvenated, full of life, excited, vicious, motivated.
“Now that I’m cleared, the shackles are off.”
Backup plan
His backup plan could be to problem Mario Barrios for the WBC world championship at 147lbs.
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Chris Eubank and Conor Benn come face-to-face in Saudi Arabia with the pair exchanging phrases forward of Eubank’s bout on Saturday towards Kamil Szeremeta, stay on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace
“Hopefully we can make the Barrios fight, if it isn’t Eubank next. Fight Barrios for the WBC world title February, March. I’m just excited to be back,” he mentioned.
“I’m here now. I’ve remained in the gym, I’ve stayed working. I’m excited to give the British public the fights they want. Whether that’s a world title, whether that’s big domestic clashes, I’m a fighter through and through and I’ve proven that in the last two years, how much of a fighter I am.
“I’ve proven extra dedication and grit and self-discipline previously two years than I’ve accomplished my complete profession.”
