Conor Benn gives Chris Eubank Jr a “10 per cent chance” of winning his rematch with Liam Smith.
While uncertainty continues to surround the 26-year-old Benn’s future – he has been provisionally suspended by UK Anti-Doping having twice tested positive for the female fertility drug clomifene – his rival Eubank Jr has agreed to again fight Smith at the Manchester Arena on June 17.
Benn has confirmed he expects his next fight to take place overseas, but after speculation that Eubank Jr would be his opponent the grudge match that could define his career is again out of reach.
Eubank Jr was surprisingly stopped in four rounds by Smith in January in a fight that was expected to be competitive but proved so one-sided that in a rematch he appears to have little chance.
Even if he loses the appeal of Eubank Jr-Benn – potentially enhanced by Benn twice failing voluntary drug tests in the build-up to their proposed fight last October – will not be diminished, but it leaves Benn seeking a new opponent if he is, as has been suggested, going to fight this summer.
Asked how disappointing it was to learn of confirmation of the rematch between his rival and Smith, Benn responded: “Not disappointing at all. Listen, everything for a reason. If it’s for me it won’t pass me. There’s other fights out there to be made.
“There’s other big names – bigger names – that have been mentioned, so, really, I’m on the title hunt this year. That’s the plan for me. I just trust in my team to let them do what they’ve got to do and I’ll just do my part and stay ready.”
Asked if Eubank Jr can avenge his defeat against Smith, he then said: “I give him 10 per cent chance of winning the fight. Which is minimal, but there’s a chance, obviously. Liam Smith is moving up to 160lbs. But you can’t change a man overnight.
“He’s quite stubborn and set in his ways, and it’s clearly shown his whole career. I think Smith with the stoppage, definitely. I think it could be even more devastating than last time.
“[That 10 per cent is] based on size; based on one shot landing and changing the fight. Although he’s not one of the biggest punchers. Ten per cent’s a chance. It’s not a lot, but it’s a chance.”
