Eubank Jr vs Benn: Hearn discussing 'Luxembourg' deal to keep fight on

EXCLUSIVE: Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn is ‘near-certain’ to go ahead as promoter Eddie Hearn holds talks with three overseas bodies to licence the O2 showdown despite Benn’s failed drug test

  • Eddie Hearn remains determined Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn will go ahead
  • The British Boxing Board of Control have prohibited the fight from taking place 
  • Sportsmail broke the news on Wednesday that Benn had failed a drugs test
  • Hearn is discussing a possible ‘Luxembourg’-style deal to keep  the fight on 
  • Eubank Jr’s weight requirements are also being discussed in last-minute talks
  • Follow all the Eubank Jr vs Benn updates LIVE with Sportsmail

The controversial fight between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr is ‘near certain’ to go ahead on Saturday, according to multiple sources close to the bout.

Sportsmail understands there are currently as many as three overseas sanctioning bodies in the frame to rubberstamp the promotion in the event that legal maneuverers by Eddie Hearn to get the British Boxing Board of Control back on side fall short.

Meetings with the Board and its lawyers are happening today after they announced their opposition to the fight ‘in the interests of boxing’ following Sportsmail’s revelation that Benn failed a drugs test last month.

Saturday’s clash between Chris Eubank Jr (left) and Conor Benn (right) is ‘near certain’ to go ahead

Eddie Hearn is now discussing a Luxembourg-style deal with multiple sanctioning bodies

If the Board hold firm, it will leave barely 48 hours to salvage Saturday’s fight at The O2 in London. 

However, there is precedent for using a fringe organisation to issue the licence, as was the case when Derek Chisora and David Haye fought under the auspices of the Luxembourg Boxing Federation in 2012. 

One source indicated to Sportsmail on Friday that Luxembourg are unlikely to be involved again if that is the route pursued, but figures around the fight claim alternatives are under consideration.

We also understand that discussions have taken place around revising Eubank Jr’s weight for the fight. 

Under the terms of the existing deal the middleweight will have to enter at a 157-pound catchweight – three pounds below the middleweight limit. 

Sportsmail’s Riath Al-Samarrai broke the exclusive of Benn’s positive drugs test on Wednesday

Benn tested positive for banned substance clomifene in the build-up to the mega-fight

Benn is pictured in the fight’s build-up, which is due to see him move up two weight classes

That he holds such a weight advantage over Benn, a natural welterweight, is already a source of concern, not least from Chris Eubank Snr, who previously said he fears for his son’s life.

However, sources say that limit could be raised amid the fallout from Benn’s positive test.

The Board of Control have remained largely silent throughout the astonishing episode, with the exception of a brief statement on Wednesday announcing their withdrawal. 

Multiple attempts to contact their general secretary Robert Smith have been made.




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