Chris Eubank Jr agrees 55-45 split for Conor Benn fight, says Ben Shalom

Chris Eubank Jr has moved a step closer to a blockbuster showdown with Conor Benn after agreeing to a 55-45 per cent purse split, promoter Ben Shalom has revealed.

Eubank Jr's October 2022 fight with Benn was cancelled when his opponent tested positive for banned substance clomifene.

Benn's licence was removed by the British Boxing Board of Control, but the suspensions were lifted this November after the National Anti-Doping Panel stated they were "not comfortably satisfied" that the 28-year-old had committed a doping offence.

Benn's reprieve has paved the way for Eubank Jr and Benn, the sons of great British rivals Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn, to reignite their own rivalry in the ring.

Shalom insists, though, a lot of work remains to be done with the fight not yet confirmed.

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"We have done an unbelievable job getting Chris to accept a 55 per cent fee," Shalom, founder of BOXXER, told Sky Sports.

"We've worked wonders. You ask anyone, they can even see it, this isn't even close to a 50-50 fight, so the fact he's managing to compromise on that is hugely generous from him. I've done my job, and now it's time for them to be sensible.

"The fact they've already got us down to that shows how well we've done. If the fight doesn't get made now, then we know what it is."

'We've done everything we can'

Shalom was unable to give a precise timescale on when the fight would be signed, insisting he had done everything in his power to get one of the most-anticipated British fights over the line.

As a result, the promoter has identified alternative options for his fighter, with Eubank Jr eyeing a potential world title shot against WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara.

"I don't know [how far away it is from being signed]," Shalom added. "I don't want to bore the fans anymore. If it happens, it happens, we've done everything we can.

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"As a promoter, of course I want to do it, but as a fighter, Chris wants to fight for a world title. He feels like he's given me enough to go and get a fight with anyone who wants to be sensible."

He continued: "If not Benn, Lara is on the list. He's pushing me to fight Lara. Chris doesn't mess around. He's not waiting on anyone; he's annoyed I'm hanging on in there. He wants to fight for a world title."

Shalom: It's personal between Eubank Jr and Benn

With the fallout from the first cancelled fight leaving him in "a dark place", Shalom says Eubank Jr's feud with Benn has become personal.

Drawing a line under the saga - and ending Benn's career before it has started - are now motivating factors for Eubank Jr to get the fight confirmed.

"Do I think Chris wants the fight?" Shalom said: "I think he doesn't like him, and I think he feels like it's gone beyond professional barriers and is now personal.

"The whole experience was dark, he won't say this, but it wasn't a good time for him. He takes that very personally and feels like he's been ****** around.

"The fact Conor still calls his name and hasn't shown any remorse, this fight is big for him, and that is the motivation.

"He wants to put an end to it, he probably wants to put an end to Conor Benn's career before it even starts. That is why this is such an enormous potential fight."

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