Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn almost come to blows during ugly spat

Chris Eubank Jr was involved in an altercation with Conor Benn as the pair clashed at the fight hotel in Riyadh.

Brighton boxer Eubank Jr had just weighed in at the Hilton hotel in the Saudi city for his middleweight clash with Kamil Szeremeta this weekend. Boxers stepped on the scales in a private weigh-in on Friday ahead of a staged show later on in the day. Eubank Jr was late to hit the scales for the fight on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev against Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light-heavyweight title clash.

But when he came downstairs he was met by rival Benn and the pair exchanged verbals in the hotel lobby as hotel guests and officials looked on. Eubank Jr was leaving the hotel when Benn shouted to him, "Don't f*** up the bag" in what appeared to be an indication they're close to agreeing a deal for a fight.

They continued to shout at each other face to face in the lobby as a crowd began to gather. Benn then appeared to push Eubank Jr away before their teams stepped in to separate them. Welterweight Benn is currently temporarily suspended by UK Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Board of Control pending investigations into two adverse analytical findings in drug tests in 2022.

The second of which forced the cancellation of an October 2022 clash with Eubank Jr in London. Benn was found to have fertility drug clomiphene in his samples, a substance which also has performance-enhancing benefits. The British boxer did have his suspension lifted but it was reinstated after an appeal by UKAD and the BBBofC. His case has yet to be heard and he has not been served with a doping ban.

But the matter would need to be resolved before the BBBofC would consider reinstating his licence for him to fight Eubank Jr. There has been speculation that the pair could face each other with Eubank Jr keen on the bout despite the history. He was walking out of the hotel with his team. Mazhar Majeed, who was involved in the Pakistan spot fix scandal, was also present.

Benn's promoter Eddie Hearn said recently there will be news on his case this month - but admits he now just wants the situation put to bed rather than full public disclosure on the matter. Benn, 27, was recently ranked by the IBF in third position at welterweight despite still being under a temporary suspension by UK Anti-Doping.

That sparked rumours of a breakthrough in his case for two failed doping tests for fertility drug clomiphene back in 2022. But it is understood that Benn is still under the suspension which was reinstated back in May after UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control appealed its lifting.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Promoter Hearn insists the British fighter will soon be free to return to action. He said: “He's in talks with his lawyers, the British Boxing Board of Control, with UKAD. We'll know more early October how that will play out.

“We've had a lot of questions asking why doesn't he just take a two-year ban - the test was in June 2022. But to Conor's detriment he's never wanted to concede a ban because of he believes in his innocence. He's never wanted to do a deal and it's cost him time. “I'm hoping now they will have some sensible conversations because it's been over two years since this happened.

“We want a date because it's really difficult to plan. If there's resolution, I can book the fight and get it made. The frustration for us is not knowing and that's what we hope will come to an end during the next months or so.”

Watch Chris Eubank Jr v Kamil Szeremeta on the Beterbiev v Bivol undercard, live on TNT Sports Box Office from 5:30pm on Saturday. Find out more at