Chris Eubank Jr. reportedly declined a lucrative opportunity to fight Conor Benn in order to settle his score with Liam Smith.
Smith comprehensively beat Eubank Jr. in a fourth-round TKO last year. While that may have been the case, the defeat raised many question marks over Eubank Jr.’s preparations.
He had been on course to fight Benn prior to Smith. However, that changed due to Benn’s failed positive tests for Clomiphene.
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But the weight cut at 157 lbs for the Benn fight may have taken its toll on Eubank Jr. with the narrative being set for the rematch.
And yet, Eubank Jr. acknowledged that the Benn fight was tempting.
“I definitely considered fighting Conor Benn next. Because when somebody puts millions and millions and millions of pounds in front of you and offers you a fight, you consider it. You don’t just turn it down.
“I was offered a substantial amount to fight Conor Benn overseas and I came to the conclusion that it wasn’t the right time, it wasn’t the right place. The circumstances weren’t right.
“I want to get this guy [Smith] back for what he did and then I can move on. But I have to get past Liam Smith. I can’t go and fight these big names if I don’t take care of business. It’s payback time,” Eubank Jr.
Victory for Eubank Jr., though, could revive hopes for that fight, especially following the recent controversy generated by Benn’s failed VADA tests. But defeat would all but end those chances.