A rescheduled blockbuster combat between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr will lastly occur if the previous’s licence is reinstated by the British Boxing Board of Management [BBBoC], believes promoter Ben Shalom.
Benn was underneath a provisional suspension after failing two voluntary drug checks forward of a scheduled combat with Eubank Jr in October 2022, with that bout cancelled after he examined constructive for banned substance clomifene.
On Wednesday, Benn moved a step nearer to a return to boxing after the impartial Nationwide Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) lifted his suspension.
The BBBoC is but to substantiate whether or not it is going to reinstate Benn’s licence – required to permit him to combat in Britain once more. The governing physique mentioned it’s “considering its position”, in a brief assertion launched on Thursday.
UK Anti-Doping additionally has not confirmed whether or not it is going to provoke its proper to an enchantment.
Ought to Benn in the end be given the inexperienced mild to combat in Britain once more, Shalom is assured the long-awaited bout with Eubank Jr will in the end go forward.
“If he gets his licence then I believe that fight is on,” Shalom informed Sky Sports activities.
“He wants a British licence and it is one of many largest fights in British boxing, if not the largest to me.
“We know the history of that fight, we know why we’re here, we know why there’s so much animosity between them. Without the licence, the fight probably won’t happen.”
On the prospect of the combat happening on dwelling soil quite than Saudi Arabia, Shalom added: “For me, it sells out a stadium.
“It is one of many largest fights that you are able to do within the UK. So I believe it should be vital for the fighters to not need to do it within the UK.
“I’m sure it’s a fight that will interest Riyadh season and his Excellency, just because there just aren’t many fights that come close to the magnitude of that one.”
‘I simply assume all the things goes to be an excessive amount of for him’ – what Eubank has mentioned about Benn combat
The British fighters unexpectedly got here face-to-face in an altercation in Saudi Arabia final month when Benn entered the ring after Eubank Jr had taken a stoppage win over Kamil Szeremeta.
Talking days later, Eubank Jr mentioned of Benn: “The child is filled with confidence however he has by no means been in there with an elite-level fighter, a technician, someone who is aware of how one can damage him.
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Chris Eubank Jr says his conflict in opposition to Conor Benn can be ‘savage’ and admits the historical past behind their rivalry means there’s a lot on the road
“It’s all well and good him saying what he can do but we are not going to know how tough, how great Conor Benn is until he is in there with somebody like me who can really test him.
“I believe what I carry to the desk is much too elite, far too superior when it comes to my expertise, ability, energy, pace.
“I just think everything is going to be too much for him. He will tell you different but I think it is going to be a serious wake-up call for him.”
Eubank Jr’s father, Chris, beat after which drew with Benn’s dad Nigel throughout two blockbuster fights within the Nineties.
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