Report: Conor Benn & Chris Eubank Jr close to deal for October 8

Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr are reportedly closing in on a deal to face each other in a historic clash at the O2 Arena on October 8, according to the Daily Star.

Benn and Eubank Jr have long been touted to continue their family rivalry which saw their fathers meet twice in two British blockbusters in the early 90’s.

The difference in weight has always been a sticking point with Benn campaigning at welterweight, while Eubank Jr competes at middleweight, with both verging on world title shots in their respective weight classes.

However, according to a report in the Daily Star, the pair are set to meet at a catchweight of 156lbs and are nearing a deal after over a week of speculation linking them to an unlikely showdown.

Benn’s promoter, Eddie Hearn quashed the talk last week, telling Pro Boxing Fans last Tuesday that they were not close to agreeing a deal and were instead planning to pursue a fight for the Ilford man with former welterweight world champion, Keith Thurman.

Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn shared an iconic rivalry in the 90’s Photo Credit: Daily Mirror/Bill Rowntree

“We want the Keith Thurman fight,” Hearn told Pro Boxing Fans.

“I’ve had a million questions here today about Conor Benn against Chris Eubank Jr.

“We’re not in final negotiations about that fight.

“It’s a fight that always get brought up because of course it’s one of the biggest fights of all-time, but right now we’re focused on the welterweight division and hopefully that’ll be Keith Thurman.”

Conor Benn blasted out Chris van Heerden in two rounds in Manchester Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

The 25-year-old, who is unbeaten in 21 professional fights is currently enjoying a break away in Ibiza with family, but teased in a post on his Instagram earlier on Wednesday that a major fight will be announced in the next few days.

‘The Destroyer’ is coming off a second round stoppage over Chris van Heerden at the AO Arena in April.

“Out here with the family in Ibiza,” Benn said.

“A nice chilled one. This is the calm before the storm.

“Fight announcement over the next few days. Make sure you stay tuned, you don’t want miss this one.”

Eubank Jr has won five on the bounce since a second career defeat to George Groves in an unsuccessful world title bid in 2018, with his only other loss coming to Billy Joe Saunders in 2014.

The 32-year-old Brighton native, who has not fought since beating Liam Williams in February, is promoted by Kalle Sauerland’s Wasserman Boxing who have an exclusive broadcast deal with Channel 5, but according to the report the fight is expected to land on DAZN pay-per-view.

Chris Eubank Jr settled his rivalry with Liam Williams with a unanimous decision win in Cardiff Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

If the bout goes ahead on October 8, it will mark almost 29 years to the day since their fathers met in a super middleweight world title unification rematch at Old Trafford, which ended in a split decision draw.

Almost three years earlier, Eubank Sr and Benn fought for the first time in Birmingham with the former securing the WBO middleweight title with a ninth round stoppage win.