Eddie Hearn has turned down a seven-figure bet from Chris Eubank Jr on the outcome of his April 26 clash with Conor Benn.
Benn, who has been promoted by Hearn for his entire career, will lock horns with Eubank Jr at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in one of the biggest fights to take place on UK soil in years.
The Matchroom Chairman had pitched a bet of one million pounds to ‘Next Gen’s promoter Ben Shalom, though the BOXXER boss was quick to decline.
Eubank Jr then claimed on social media that he would be happy to step in for his promoter and take Hearn up on his offer and, in his eyes, top up a payday that is rumoured to be north of £10,000,000.
However, Hearn stated in an interview with IFL TV that British Boxing Board of Control regulations would not permit such a bet, before adding he would “never” have a bet with the Brighton man.
Waiting & wondering how long it will take for @EddieHearn to try & weasel his way out of the £1M bet… the silence is deafening. pic.twitter.com/HANrphGBYK
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) March 19, 2025
“When I stuck it on Shalom for a bet, and I’m not saying it wasn’t a real offer, he quickly decided to quote the regulations of the British Boxing Board of Control to say we can’t bet, we’re not allowed to bet.
“I can’t be bothered getting it on my phone, but we all received an email from the board stating that any license holder cannot bet on any event they’re involved in.
“So this lot, for clicks and views, decide to put a video out, when they know I can’t accept it.
“Anyway, the bet was with Ben Shalom, not Chris Eubank Jr.
“Eubank knows I can’t bet, and I would never have a bet with Chris Eubank Jr.”
Bet or no bet, the stakes could still not be much higher when the pair finally step foot in the ring in just over a month’s time.
The already palpable animosity between the two family rivals was increased tenfold at the fight’s launch press conference in Manchester, where Eubank Jr slapped Benn with an egg as they faced off.
The 35-year-old was fined £100,000 for his troubles, though that figure will be trumped by the extra pay-per-view buys his stunt will no doubt bring about.
