Conor Benn is set to lose out on a comeback fight against Chris Eubank Jr with his rival instead set to rematch Liam Smith.
Benn was due to step in the ring with bitter foe Eubank Jr last year but the fight was cancelled at short notice after news broke that the rising star had failed two pre-fight drug tests. The 26-year-old has since been reinstated into the WBC rankings and cleared by the organisation, but has yet to regain his British Boxing Board of Control licence after r ipping it up prior to any verdict on his future.
Benn's promoter Eddie Hearn revealed talks were underway for a clash with Eubank Jr following Benn's reinstatement into the rankings but the BBBofC were strongly against it and threatened to prevent the fight taking place. Eubank Jr was recently beaten by Smith and has a contracted rematch clause available to face the Liverpudlian.
