Eubank and Benn “finalizing” Apr. 26 grudge match in London
Multiple outlets report that Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn will finally meet this coming spring
Seems like “crunch time” may have produced results for once, as Mike Coppinger reports that Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn are “finalizing” an April 26th showdown in London.
It’s been over two years since Benn (23-0, 14 KO) infamously failed a drug test in the buildup to their planned meeting, kicking off a lengthy battle with the BBBofC and UKAD. Talks have started and stopped more than once in that span, and while there’s reason to believe this one has legs after Tris Dixon corroborated Coppinger’s story, there’s not much cause for excitement.
This reeks of cashing out on Benn, who’s looked mediocre in his last two fights and has spent the last year trying and failing to snag a major welterweight fight. Coppinger reports that the fight will take place at middleweight as opposed to the originally planned catchweight. I don’t buy Eubank Sr’s bloviating about “safety” at all, especially since the IBF’s 10-pound rehydration limit is still in play; Eubank Jr (34-3, 25 KO) has publicly stated that he doesn’t cut much weight and proved he could make the proposed limit easily. This is a statement that Benn no longer has any leverage.
I’d make some comment about how at least this whole saga will be over and Eubank will be free to finally try and make a real run at 160, but we all know that’s not a priority for him.