Chris Eubank Jr. Will Need to Single Out Conor Benn or Liam Smith Next
Middleweight British fighter Chris “Next Gen” Eubank Jr (32-2, 23KO) has a decision to make as reports of him fighting Liam “Beefy” Smith (32-3-1, 19KO) and Conor “The Destroyer” Benn (21-0, 14KO) in September continue to surface.
There is an ongoing saga surrounding Eubank Jr and rival countrymen Benn and Smith. On one side, you had a high-profile fight with The Destroyer that never happened due to him testing positive for a banned substance. On the other hand, Next Gen is looking to avenge a knockout loss against Beefy on January 21. Their rematch date of June 17 got postponed due to Smith suffering an injury.
WILL EUBANK JR FIGHT CONOR BENN OR LIAM SMITH NEXT?
In an interview with iFL TV, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn claimed fans could possibly see Eubank Jr versus Benn in the fall.
“I mean, it’s pretty much agreed, really. I mean it’s not done because we haven’t signed contracts . . . There is a lot happening behind the scenes . . . you’re looking at September for that fight.”
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing promoter
While speaking with Sky Sports, Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom claimed the Smith rematch is likely to happen in September.
“I did meet Kalle Sauerland [Eubank Jr’s promoter] last week. We expect a date to be finalized at the end of August or early September.”
Ben Shalom, Boxxer promoter
In this author’s opinion, Team Eubank Jr is waiting to see which shoe drops first, from a financial standpoint. Eubank Jr will undoubtedly be looking to take the bigger payday providing The Destroyer can get his boxing license back from the BBBofC [British Board of Control].
The rematch with Smith can happen anytime, as Eubank Jr has a rematch clause. While the boxing world waits to see who he fights next, it’s apparent Next Gen will be fighting more than likely in September.
