The unnecessary yet intriguing bout between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn has finally been confirmed to happen in April, though an exact location and date for the bout has yet to be set. According to General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh, both fighters recently signed and sealed deals in London to face each other.
The only history between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn had initially been through their fathers, respectively Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn, who had engaged in one of British boxing’s most heated and relevant rivalries from 1990 to 1993. Though both fighters were weight classes apart when they were first poised to fight in October of 2022, their fight appeared to be one of the most appealing British fights that year given the legacy of their fathers.
The Conor Benn performance-enhancing drugs (PED) case would turn this bout upside down, however, and though there had been attempts to revitalize the match, General Entertainment Authority (GEA) chairman Turki Alalshikh’s emergence in the sport of boxing―as well as Benn’s most recent yet dubious exoneration for the use of PED’s―has been the catalyst into this fight’s revival based on his personal involvement.
Alalshikh’s role in this is further emphasized by his confirmation of the upcoming Eubank Jr.-Benn fight, rather than their promoters:
“Eubank Jr vs Benn done in April, London, by the name of (Fatal Fury City of the Wolves),” Alalshikh posted yesterday on his social media account.
“Soon I will announce the day and the location. It will be The Ring’s first card in collaboration with the video game and SNK, and I will push to make PPV price 19.99 GBP for the fans, with tough undercard…Lets get boxing great again and wait for huge announcement soon.“
Both Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn have had relatively quiet careers since their October 2022 fight was cancelled. While Benn managed to return to the ring amidst his PED debacle, middleweight (160 lbs) contender Eubank notably failed to be matched with any fighter of note and seemed content to ride on the wave of obscurity.
The fact neither fighter are considered―nor seem close to―being the top combatants in their weight class, the only recourse for them to gain a large payday while remaining relevant is by fighting each other. On a competitive note, the fight doesn’t make sense as both Benn and Eubank are not in or around the same weight categories like their fathers, but given Benn’s PED scandal and subsequently multiple back-and-forths between the two, there does seem to be an entertaining factor that makes the bout more intriguing than it had been in 2022.
The fact that Chris Eubank Jr. went on to reveal that Benn and his promoter, Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn, were attempting to slam a rehydration clause on him does hint at a sense of desperation from at least one side to create the fight.
“Just so you all know… these two rats [Conor Benn] and [Eddie Hearn] are now trying to enforce a rehydration restriction on me to make the fight,” Eubank stated prior to Alalshikh’s confirmation of his April bout against Benn. “They talk a big game but when it actually comes down to it… just a pair of [pus****].“
Naturally, this prompted a response from Benn who would go on to reveal that Eubank, despite his complaints regarding the rehydration clause, had still accepted it:
“You soft prick! I’m coming up 2 weights to fight you and I’m the [pus**]?” Benn furiously responded on social media. “10 [lbs] rehydration because I’m already fighting a middleweight but you want to get in the ring as a light heavyweight? You are scared to death of Janibek and Sheeraz so I’m your only option, satsuma head.
“And this is something you and your team agreed to on Saturday so don’t try and make out this is new stop being a pus** and sign the contract.”
As explained earlier, both fighters’ only recourse for any high earnings appear to remain through a fight against each other, further made obvious by how Eubank Jr. willingly accepted a 10 lbs rehydration clause while Benn will also be facing some risks moving up two weight classes―though it should be noted that despite Benn’s status as a welterweight (147 lbs) contender, he has fought at super welterweight (154 lbs) during his last two matches.
Given Turki Alalshikh’s involvement, the April bout between the two is expected to take place on a Riyadh Season card and might potentially headline such a fight card.