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Chris Eubank Jr challenged promoter Eddie Hearn to follow through on his £1million bet ahead of his Saturday night fight against Conor Benn.
The build-up to the fight has been heated, and that did not change in the final press conference, during which Eubank spoke at length about Benn’s 2022 positive drug tests and training methods.
But he also turned his attention to Hearn, who had offered Eubank’s promoter Ben Shalom a £1m bet. As promoters cannot bet on fights, Eubank went so far as to offer to cover Hearn’s fines if the deal was made.
Having earlier kept him from speaking in the conference, Eubank invited Hearn back on stage: “Eddie, what’s up man? You gonna put the mil’ on or not? I asked you a question, so get on the stage and answer.”
Eubank offered to cover Hearn’s fines if he shook on the bet.
“He is going to get fined 100k by the board if he bets me that million pounds that he said publicly he wanted to do.
“So, how about I make it easier for you? I’ll put a million up and you put up £900,000, so I’ve covered the £100,000 fine that you are going to get that you can’t afford to pay.
“Let’s put the money in escrow tonight, and winner takes all on Saturday.”
There is another drawback for Hearn, though, who could face penalties against his Boxing Board of Control license if he were caught gambling.
Hearn responded in kind, poking fun at Eubank’s struggles to reach the set weight class. To partake in the fight, he must weigh in at 160lbs, dropping down from his natural 174lbs, and he had earlier called the experience ‘painful’.
Hearn said: “If I won’t face any penalties on my license, we can consider it.
“In the meantime, get back to the hotel, take that weight off, and be prepared to get an absolute spanking on Saturday night.”
