Frank Warren has claimed that Chris Eubank Jr avoided a domestic clash with Denzel Bentley.
Bentley has been calling for a showdown with middleweight rival, Eubank Jr after reviving his career under Warren’s guidance, following defeats to world champion, Janibek Alimkhanuly and Stoke favourite, Nathan Heaney.
‘2 Sharp’ scored a showreel knockout over Derrick Osaze at York Hall on Saturday, although Warren claims Eubank Jr wants no part of the Londoner.
“Denzel on his day is up there with all of them,” the Hall of Fame promoter told IFLTV.
“I was desperately trying to get the fight made with him and Chris Eubank Jr, who cr**ed himself at the thought of getting in the ring with him.”
Eubank Jr was in talks for a September clash with unified super middleweight world champion, Canelo Alvarez, however discussions broke down and Alvarez opted to defend his titles against Edgar Berlanga on September 14 instead.
‘Next Gen’ will fight for the first time since stopping Liam Smith in their rematch last September when he faces former world title challenger, Kamil Szeremeta in Saudi Arabia on October 12 on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev’s undisputed light heavyweight title clash with Dmitry Bivol.
Warren has also been floating the idea of a possible bout for the 34-year-old with his rising, unbeaten middleweight, Hamzah Sheeraz, although the 72-year-old admits he’s sceptical whether the Brighton man wants to challenge him.
Asked if he’d revisit talks for Eubank-Bentley, he replied: “It’s pointless.
“The next generation.
“The 34-year-old next generation, he hasn’t got the balls to do it.
“Either with him or Hamzah Sheeraz.”
Warren could explore a bout between Sheeraz and Bentley, who are ranked at one and two respectively by the WBO, behind Alimkhanuly, who holds the IBF belt as well.
Sheeraz must first overcome European middleweight champion, Tyler Denny on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s clash with Daniel Dubois on September 21 at Wembley Stadium.
