Chris Eubank Jr. and his team have unequivocally rejected the idea of facing WBO & IBF middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, instead opting to pursue ‘alternatives,’ as conveyed in a letter sent to the WBO. Eubank’s team has requested not to be considered for any mandatory or eliminator bouts until 2024, specifically during the spring or summer and no sooner.
The most likely reason for Chris Eubank Jr.’s (33-3, 24 KO’s) decision to postpone the opportunity of becoming a world champion, which is usually the ultimate goal for professional boxers, until at least 2024 is due to rumors suggesting he will be fighting Conor Benn (22-0, 14 KO’s). This decision coincides with Eubank becoming the #1 contender in the WBO’s middleweight rankings.
Regardless of Conor Benn’s case, which has been ‘cleared’ by the NADP but is still being challenged by the UKAD and the BBBofC, Team Eubank appears to be prioritizing the potential profitability of a fight with Conor Benn. This seems to be the sole reason for Eubank and his team explicitly requesting the WBO to hold off on any attempts to offer Eubank a world title opportunity for at least the next six months.
A representative of Chris Eubank Jr. conveyed the following in a letter to the WBO:
“Dear all,” the letter states. “We want to extend our sincere gratitude for recognizing Chris Eubank Jr. as your top contender.
“As we look forward to upcoming discussions and immediate plans, we kindly request you to refrain from considering him for any mandatory bouts or eliminators for your esteemed titles in the forthcoming weeks.
“Currently, we are in the midst of negotiations for an alternative fight on his behalf, and we wish to be considerate of everyone’s time while also ensuring opportunities for other fighters are preserved.
“We are enthusiastic about the prospect of exploring various options in the spring and summer of 2024.
“Thank you for your understanding and your cooperation.“
In response to the letter, the WBO referred Eubank’s team to section 6 of their regulations governing world championship bouts, essentially reminding them that the sanctioning body has the jurisdiction and authority to decide the mandatory challenger as they see fit.
Section 6 of the WBO’s rules outlines how a mandatory challenger is determined. This serves as a warning to Eubank’s team that the sanctioning body can act in the best interests of boxing and choose a mandatory challenger when needed, irrespective of Eubank’s personal preferences. If Eubank Jr. were to decline a clear opportunity to become a mandatory challenger, the WBO would reserve the right to select a more willing participant.
Although it was not confirmed who this alternate fight for Eubank pertains to, reports over the past year have circulated about the canceled fight between Eubank and Benn―which was initially planned for last year―being scheduled again. Eubank Jr. is within his rights to select his opponents, but he must be mindful of how these choices impact his career as a middleweight, as a potential Conor Benn fight may limit his access to other opportunities.
The rumored fight between Benn and Eubank has been said to take place in Saudi Arabia, promising significant profits for both fighters due to the country’s willingness to invest in sports. This arrangement would also allow Benn to bypass the restrictions of fighting in the UK.
If this fight materializes and Eubank Jr. defeats Conor Benn, an opportunity to face unified champion Janibek Alimkhanuly (15-0, 10 KO’s), who holds the WBO title, will likely still be available, unless other opportunities against the two other middleweight champions emerge.
