After one of the most drawn out and controversial build ups in British boxing history, a fight between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn looks set to finally take place in 2025.
Benn entered the ring and squared up to Eubank after the latter’s stoppage win over Kamil Szeremeta earlier this month, and the ensuing face off between the pair – which was bizarrely moderated by football star Neymar – went viral.
A bout between the two family rivals is expected to take place at middleweight, where ‘Next Gen’ has campaigned for the majority of his career.
Most observers believe this will put Benn, who has done his best work two weight divisions below at welterweight, at a significant disadvantage.
One of those with such a view is Eubank’s former trainer Roy Jones Jr, who admitted to The Poghost Podcast that he believes it will be difficult for ‘The Destroyer’ to defeat his old charge.
“It’s going to be hard for Benn to beat Chris Eubank because Chris Eubank is bigger, he’s faster, he hits harder, he’s had more experiences in really big fights.
“I don’t see how you’re going to beat him.”
The 35-year-old spent four fights under Jones’ tutelage, with the highlight of their partnership coming in 2022 when he defeated former world title challenger Liam Williams via unanimous decision.
However, the pair parted ways after the Brighton man suffered the first stoppage loss of his career at the hands of Liam Smith a year later.
The idea of Eubank and Benn locking horns has been a polarising one in the boxing world, with many aggrieved that such conversations should not be had until ‘The Destoyer’s performance enhancing drugs case is resolved.
The 28-year-old has not boxed in the UK in over two and a half years as a result of failing two VADA tests in the lead up to the scuppered fight with Eubank, which was due to take place in October 2022.
However, he and those around him seem confident that a resolution with the British Boxing Board of Control is imminent, thus paving the way for a grudge match with his old adversary in the first half of next year.
