A highly anticipated rematch between British boxing rivals Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn is “dead,” according to promoter Eddie Hearn.
Eubank secured a victory over Benn via unanimous decision at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April.
A second contest had been tentatively scheduled for September 20, but earlier this week, reports surfaced indicating that the bout was unlikely to proceed.
Hearn, who promotes Benn, informed BBC Sport that his fighter is now shifting focus away from the rematch and considering a potential world title opportunity.
“At the moment, the fight between Eubank and Benn is dead,” Hearn stated.
“September 20th was the date, now I believe there is some kind of conversation about a November fight.
“Benn isn’t interested in being messed around or waiting around. He would love and arguably prefer a shot at the world title.
“If that presented itself, then we would definitely look at that option.”
Benn, 28, has also expressed interest in exploring alternative options, including a possible return to the welterweight division.
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He told BBC Sport: “We signed a two-fight deal, we were ready to go. The date was announced straight after the first fight for September, done a lot of negotiations in terms of venues, dates.
“They had all agreed September 20th, then Eubank came out and said he wasn’t ready.”
Asked if Benn was prepared to wait until the end of the year, Hearn added: “So we have to give them a chance.
“We just appeal to Eubank, if you’re not ready to go back to war with Benn and you’d rather sit at a poker table in Las Vegas, good luck to you. But let us move on.”
“We’re ready to move on, drop down to 147 and get a world title,” said Benn.
The first fight was organised by Ring Magazine, which is owned by Turki Alalshikh, and it was thought the rematch would also fall under the Riyadh Season promotion.
Appearing on Saturday’s broadcast before Oleksandr Usyk’s win over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium, Alalshikh said the Eubank-Benn bout could still happen and suggested January or February as potential alternative dates.
Eubank has not commented on the situation himself, and it is unclear when an official decision will be made.
The 35-year-old was recently fined £10,000 by the British Boxing Board of Control for “misuse of social media” leading up to their initial encounter.
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