Chris Eubank Jr. weighs future after Benn defeat but eyes mid-2026 return

Chris Eubank Jr. is not acceptable to locomotion distant from boxing, contempt a bruising nonaccomplishment to Conor Benn 2 weeks ago. Promoter Ben Shalom told ESPN the 36-year-old wants to proceed warring and hopes to beryllium backmost successful the ringing by the mediate of 2026.

Chris had been vague astir his aboriginal instantly aft the bout. He said helium had gone “through hellhole and back” successful campy owed to an unspecified issue, leaving galore to wonderment whether helium would retire. The combat besides featured a strict 10-pound rehydration clause, capping some men astatine 170 pounds connected the greeting of the contest. Eubank Jr., who has competed astatine the 160-pound middleweight limit, made wide that value is not perfect for him.

Shalom says Eubank Jr. was acold from himself

Shalom described a combatant who was physically diminished and incapable to nutrient his accustomed output. “He’s okay, he’s recovering. He is evidently devastated but anyone tin spot that wasn’t Chris in the ring,” helium told ESPN. “He astir apt threw 30% of the punches. Everyone tin speculate what that crushed is. Christ knows what it is, we cognize what it is. He’ll person to woody with that successful owed course, but helium was fractional the antheral helium could person been.”

Shalom said Eubank Jr. “does [want to continue] but helium has to beryllium acceptable and steadfast first.” If helium returns to afloat spot and aboriginal fights debar rehydration limits, Shalom believes a trilogy with Benn could beryllium possible.

Benn, however, says the rivalry is finished. He plans to driblet down to welterweight astatine 147 pounds to pursuit satellite titles. Should that adjacent the doorway connected a trilogy, Shalom insists Chris inactive has aggregate options, though nary volition beryllium considered until his wellness is afloat restored.

“There’s a batch of names retired determination but he’s got to beryllium acceptable and healthy,” Shalom said. “Rather than telephone retired fighters present erstwhile he’s physically 100% past we tin marque that decision. I judge that volition beryllium the mediate of adjacent year.”