The British duo were to restart their rivalry in London on 20 September. But Matchroom promoter Hearn, who promotes Benn, claimed Eubank has still not signed up for the fight and “does not want it”.
Ring Magazine, where the first fight was held and is owned by Turki Alalshikh, have since indicated that the Saudi power broker of influence and Riyadh Season are no longer in negotiations for a rematch.
Benn stated in a statement to Ring Magazine: “This rematch falling through had nothing to do with me. I was set to go on the booked Sept 20 date. I don’t know what happened to Chris Eubank. Hearn said to IFL TV: “We’ve told Eubank that is the date. And if you can’t take the fight on that date, the fight ain’t on.”.
“There are no stadiums to be had. Commercially, you guys are on a fortune. So if Eubank is not ready to take the fight on September 20, I don’t think there will be a fight. That’s not my decision, that’s a decision of [Alalshikh].
“Eubank can’t possibly be bothered with going back into camp. I don’t know if he’ll ever box again. I just got the feeling he just doesn’t want it. Their April clash came 35 years after their iconic fathers, Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn, originally boxed and attracted massive publicity without a title on the line.
The promotion for the fight, which was fought at the middleweight limit of 160lb, was overshadowed by weight cut and rehydration stipulations. Hearn had earlier informed BBC Sport that Benn would not accept fresh weight conditions for a rematch.
Eubank, aged 35, weighed in over the limit, facing a £375,000 fine, but was subsequently below the 10lb rehydration level on fight day. He had spent two days in the hospital after his victory due to dehydration.
Last month, Eubank was hit with a £10,000 fine by the British Boxing Board of Control for “misuse of social media” during the run-up to the bout. Eubank uploaded a few videos of his weight-cutting regime, which suggested the utilisation of a sauna.
