Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr look set to fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 3, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.
The Matchroom boss said that a deal between the two fighters was imminent and that the grudge match would take place in the UK at the end of January or in early February, with Spurs' home looking the likeliest venue at this stage.
The all-British fight has been a long time in the making. It was originally scheduled to take place at the O2 Arena in London in October of last year.
But the contest was scrapped at the last minute after it was revealed that Benn had twice tested positive for the banned substance clomifene in the build-up to fighting Eubank Jr.
Benn was provisionally suspended by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) in the aftermath of those failed tests but that was quashed in due course by an independent anti-doping arbitration panel.
Despite that, UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) have both appealed the decision, with that hearing expected to take place next month at the earliest.
Benn has always protested his innocence and been backed by Hearn, who had provisionally looked at a pre-Christmas fight against Eubank, with Anthony Joshua also potentially on the same bill, before turning his attention to 2024.
The Benn camp are confident that he will get his licence to box in the UK back imminently.
Speaking to reporters at the weekend, Hearn said: “From our side, we’re in a good place. There’s two jobs to be done.
"One is getting Conor Benn ready to sign and we’re in a very good place, and one is getting [promoter] Kalle [Sauerland] getting Chris Eubank to sign.
“I think Kalle is in the process of getting through everything. We could sign on Monday but obviously need to be in a position with Kalle to move forward. Hopefully it’s imminent.”
Of the fight date and venue, Hearn added: “UK, hopefully January 27 or February 3. I think Spurs on February 3 is the one.”
