Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn ANNOUNCED with date and venue revealed three years after drug ban scuppered huge UK fight
CHRIS EUBANK JR and Conor Benn finally have a date announced for their grudge fight – three years after it was first KOd.
The born rivals – whose dads share one of Britain’s most celebrated rivalries – collide on April 26 at Tottenham’s 62,000-seat stadium.
It will see Benn jump TWO divisions from the 147lb welterweight class to 160lb where Eubank campaigns as a middleweight.
The two were first set for an October 2022 catchweight clash at the O2 Arena.
But the 157lb pay-per-view bout was scrapped with just days to go after Benn failed two Voluntary Anti-Doping Association tests.
The unbeaten welterweight contender then had the fight of his life to try and prove his innocence and get his career back on track.
Benn, 28, was later charged by UK Anti-Doping and a bitter dispute with the British Boxing Board of Control ensued after the fighter was stripped of his license.
It saw him take his career to America, where he had two routine wins up at super-welterweight against Rodolfo Orozco and Peter Dobson.
Eubank, 35, meanwhile went onto have a double header with Liam Smith, 36, losing the first by KO before winning the rematch by stoppage.
He then beat Kamil Szeremeta in his last bout in October – with Benn ringside in Saudi Arabia.
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Following his seventh-round stoppage of Szeremeta, 35, he faced off with Benn in the ring fuelling speculation their bitter bout was back on.
And a month later, UKAD released a statement to confirm Benn’s ban had been lifted – clearing him to fight on home soil again.
But while Eubank continued to claim a deal was close to being struck, Benn suggested he was focussing on WBC welterweight champ Mario Barrios, 29.
That was while a purse split between Eubank and Benn brewed in the background.
But after Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh entered the frame – disputes over money or anything else were soon resolved.
The fight, however, will not be promoted Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season.
It will instead be the showpiece bout of the first-ever Ring Magazine card.
The family history dates back to the 1990s, when Eubank Sr defeated Benn’s dad Nigel.
They then controversially drew in their 1993 rematch three years later.
The two formed a friendship in later years, conducting evening speaking tours across the UK.
But their sons’ British beef is yet to be settled.
The Tottenham tussle between Eubank Jr and Benn will be preceded by four mouth-watering bouts.
Former WBO light-middleweight champ Liam Smith will be in action against Aaron McKenna.
Recently deposed WBO cruiserweight titleholder Chris Billiam-Smith will look to get back to winning ways against Brandon Glanton.
A trilogy fight between long-time light-heavyweight rivals Anthony Yarde and Lyndon Arthur also features on the cards.
A tasty cruiserweight clash between Viddal Riley and Chev Clarke will light the blue touch paper in Tottenham.
Benn plans to take the frustrations of the last two-and-a-half years out on Eubank Jr in blistering fashion.
During an appearance on the Ariel Helwani and Ade Oladipo Boxing Show, he said: “For me, this is way more personal.
“It was commercial before.
“I mean it’s a massive commercial fight, but it’s way more personal.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt hatred towards an opponent before.
“I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to spitefully knock someone out before.
“I know people beg to differ with my fight style, but the reality is, I’ve been through a lot.
“I was going through a lot at the time and for him to just carry on the way he did, I took it personally, and I still take it very personally.
“To be on the brink of suicide to coming through, to have him coming out with the remarks he was coming out with… which were lies!”
He added: “All of it was lies and I take that very personally. For me, I’m still here standing and breathing and feeling stronger than ever.
“So, without a doubt, I’m coming for his head.”