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.
And in the biggest sign yet that the Benn fight has been derailed, Smith has confirmed that he expects an announcement for their sequel which will likely take place in June. “The rematch seems to be back on now and if that’s the case, then that’s the route that we’ll go,” Smith told iD Boxing.
“My next fight will be in June 99.99 per cent. I’m fighting June, regardless if it’s Chris or anybody. If it’s Chris, I beat him last time and I’ll beat him again. “They tried their best to make the Conor Benn fight, that’s a fact. I think the only reason that fell through is because the Boxing Board of Control, they stayed firm on it.
"I feel Conor wanted it, [Benn promoter] Eddie [Hearn] wanted it, Chris wanted it. I just think when the Board stood strongly, 'that that won’t be happening, blah, blah, blah'. I think that’s the reason that fight’s not happening. We're basically waiting on Chris say-so, basically. In my opinion, we should've f****** him off a long time ago and went our own route."
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It will be a tough blow for Benn who was hoping to secure his future with a mega-money comeback fight, but there could now be a number of alternative opponents in line. The British star is already back in training under coach Tony Sims and has regularly teased a return on social media after his multiple statements.
Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is an alternative option for Benn's return and promoter Sean Gibbons has suggested the Filipino star has already agreed to the fight. He told Planet Sport : "Will he fight this year? You know what, Senator Manny Pacquiao has agreed to fight Conor Benn. Do me a favour, call Eddie Hearn.
"The ball is in his court. Senator Manny Pacquiao is happy to fight Conor Benn. Agreed - please call Eddie Hearn. You know, we are looking at a few different options. We are looking at things, we are trying to figure some stuff out so I hope something happens."
