Chris Eubank Jr next fight odds released after Conor…

Chris Eubank Jr next fight odds released after Conor Benn bout postponed

Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn confirmed the postponement of Chris Eubank Jnr's fight against Conor Benn on Thursday, after the British Boxing Board of Control ruled that the fight should not take place following a drug test failed by Benn in the weeks building up to the fight.

Eubank Jnr was expected to have undergone the biggest weight cut of his career in order to reach the 157lbs catchweight for the fight, but the cancellation was confirmed on the day of the press conference on Thursday.

Benn and Matchroom are believed to have attempted to keep the fight alive, with an attempt to reach an agreement in the High Court for the fight to take place. However, a verdict would have come too late, with a decision not possible until Friday which would have been 24 hours before the fight.

Eubank Jnr will now be expected to seek a fresh opponent, with Matchroom hinting at a 'postponement' which suggests that a fight may be on the cards in the future. The disappointment that Eubank and his team will have undergone may well make a rearranged fight untenable and sights will be firmly set on his next move.

The for his next opponent have already been released courtesy of Betfair, with Liverpool's Callum Smith the 6/4 favourite to enter the ring against the 33-year-old following his win on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk against Matheiu Baderlique.

However, with Smith now operating as a light-heavyweight it would require a huge weight gain in order for a fight to happen, meaning that a fight against either Kell Brook (5/1) or even Gennady Golovkin (7/1) could be more likely.

Brook last fought against Amir Khan in February at a catchweight of 149lbs, before retiring, which could be yet another big leap for Eubank Jnr having already dropped from his regular weight. However, a fight against regular super-middleweight GGG could suit Eubank as he could return to a more natural weight.

Two other names who are in the ring, but are more unlikely are Canelo Alvarez (20/1) or Billy Joe Saunders (33/1) , with a shot to win Alvarez' four world titles an enticing prospect nonetheless.

Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said : “Following late cancellation of his eagerly-awaited bout against Conor Benn, Chris Eubank Jr now finds himself without an opponent and Callum Smith is the 6/4 to fill the gap and be his next challenger.

“Kell Brook coming out of retirement for an all-British clash as Eubank’s next opponent is 5/1, while Eubank seeking a huge international fight against Golovkin is 7/1 and shot to win four titles against Canelo next is 20/1.”

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