Chris Eubank Jr. has claimed that Conor Benn does not believe that their different weights will stop the pair from fighting.
Eubank and Benn have regularly been mentioned as a potential set of opponents, largely because of the epic bouts between their fathers, Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn. However the younger fighters are in different divisions.
Benn fights at welterweight while Eubak is a middleweight, meaning there are 13lbs between them.
Given Eubank is 32, it would be tougher for the older man to cut weight and remain effective, while a step up for the 25-year-old WBA Continental champion may leave him short on power.
Speaking to IFL TV, Eubank explained the pair met at the Sport Industry Awards and had discussed the chance of a fight.
“Yeah, we had a little chat,” Eubank said.
“I think they set it up, someone sneakily set it up.
“Unbelievable that we were both backstage, both presenting awards at the exact same time.
“And that sports awards, whoever manages that, they’re lucky that I’m not an idiot.
“And they don’t know I’m not an idiot, and they don’t know he’s not an idiot.”
Eubank warned that the pair kept their cool despite any tension.
“I mean, he is a hothead,” he said of Benn. “If I say something silly, he’s gonna, you know, but I’m not an idiot.
“If I’m pushed, yeah [I could react], but I’m not gonna push anybody. I’m not gonna push anybody for no reason – for clout or for an Instagram video.
“It could’ve easily kicked off at the awards show, right before we were about to walk on stage.”
Discussing the substance of their conversation, he stated: “Nothing, he came over to me, shook my hand.
“He asked me about the Canelo fight, it was small talk.
“He was talking to someone else for a second and I was thinking about all the stuff that’s been said over the past couple of months and I started laughing.
“He said, ‘What are you smirking about?’
“I said, ‘Listen, me and you can make a lot of money in the future.’ He said on the fight that he comes in 20lbs heavier than what he weighs in at.
“He was basically trying to say that he could physically fight, the weight difference wouldn’t be an issue.”