It was revealed today by promoter Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom Boxing that a deal has been reached between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr in the Middle East on December 23, as first reported by MailSport. The bout appears to be targeted for Saudi Arabia as Benn is not cleared to fight in Britain.
The British Boxing Board of Control and UK Anti-Doping are set to appeal the National Anti-Doping Panel's decision to lift Benn's suspension, and clarity on Benn's immediate future is expected next week as the legal process around the adverse finding in Benn's pre-fight drug test has caused a lot of liability.
It appears the hope was that Benn would fight Eubank Jr at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Yet with less than three months to go, it appears that the plans have changed and moved to Saudi Arabia.
Conor Benn had a comeback fight in Orlando, Florida in which he was added the Wednesday prior to the fight. The bout ended his seventeen-month absence due to failed drug tests, eventually relinquishing his British license amidst the ongoing saga. Meanwhile, Eubank Jr., knocked out the man who stopped him earlier in the year, Liam Smith in his last performance.
It seems probable that Benn vs. Eubank Jr will take place before the resolution of the appeal by the Board and UKAD, which might add a new wrinkle of frustration from the oversight committee. It appears a decision will not be made until December or January.
Benn has pleaded his innocence the whole time, but also not shown any remorse to the fighters he directly impacted when the October pay-per-view fight between himself and Chris Eubank Jr was called off. If anything, Benn has come off as feeling as though he is a victim in the whole situation.
Now we sit and wait to see if a press release comes our way in the next few days or weeks.
