Chris Eubank Jr risked losing his licence if he agreed to Conor Benn fight

15 December 2023 , 11:55

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Chris Eubank Jr risked losing his licence if he agreed to Conor Benn fight

Chris Eubank Jr was warned he risked losing his licence if he pursued a fight against Conor Benn.

The bitter rivals appeared close to agreeing a deal to settle their beef at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 3, 16 months after the fight was first cancelled when Benn failed a drugs test. But the plug was pulled on talks this week with both fighters set to pursue alternative bouts.

Benn's promoter Eddie Hearn accused Eubank Jr of being "very difficult" during negotiations and of pricing himself out of the fight. Eubank Jr's promoter Kalle Sauerland, meanwhile, said the teams were unable to reach a "commercial understanding".

The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) had already insisted they will not grant Benn a licence while the saga over his failed test rumbles on. Although the 27-year-old had his suspension lifted in July, the Board and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) have appealed the decision. Benn will not be licensed in the UK until that appeal is heard.

Had a deal been reached between Benn and Eubank Jr, the fight could have taken place in London under another country's governing body. But Mirror Fighting understands Eubank Jr was in the dark over the risk to his own licence while talks were being held. His promoter Wasserman confirmed they had not reached out to the Board while negotiations were ongoing, instead focusing on securing a deal.

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But Eubank Jr was ultimately advised by the Board's General Secretary Robert Smith that taking part in a fight against an unlicensed fighter could see him hit with the withdrawal of his own licence, a suspension or fine, a risk Eubank Jr was unwilling to take.

Eubank Jr has since been mandated to fight IBO middleweight champion Etinosa Oliha after a request was made to the sanctioning body by the Brighton boxer's promoter. The IBO agreed, but Mirror Fighting understands Eubank Jr has little interest in pursuing that fight. The son-of-a-legend, 34, has fought twice this year, losing to Liam Smith in January before avenging his defeat eight months later when the referee stepped in to stop the rematch in the 10th round.

Martin Domin