Chris Eubank Jr. made it clear to Eddie Hearn that he hasn`t forgotten about a past wager.
Ahead of his anticipated clash against Conor Benn this Saturday in London, Eubank reminded the Matchroom Boxing chief that he is still waiting for him to follow through on a previously discussed £1 million (over $1.3 million) bet.
Eubank had initially accepted a winner-takes-all challenge Hearn posed to Eubank`s promoter, Ben Shalom. However, Hearn later stated that the British Board of Boxing Control would fine him if he proceeded with the bet.
Eubank brought the topic up again during a press conference on Thursday.
“I`m confident,” Eubank said. “I still want that million-pound bet that Eddie Hearn said he wanted to do. Eddie, what’s up, man? Are we going to put the million on or what?”
Eubank added, “Are you going to fulfill the bet or are you going to run away like the weasel that you are?”
When Hearn attempted to take the microphone, Eubank interrupted him, insisting he answer the bet question directly rather than giving a preamble.
“I’ll tell you what, so his excuse at the moment is he’s going to get fined £100,000 by the board if he bets and that’s why he can’t bet me this million pounds that he said publicly that he wanted to do,” Eubank stated. “So, how about I make it easier for you and I’ll put the million up and you put £900,000 up so I’ve covered the £100K fine that you’re going to get that you can’t afford to pay and let’s get it on that way. Let’s put the money in escrow tonight and winner takes all on Saturday, how about that?”
When Hearn finally had his turn to speak, he did not accept the bait.
“As I said to your promoter over there,” Hearn responded. “We will have a conversation with [BBBofC general secretary Robert W. Smith]. 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 get prepared to get an absolute spanking on Saturday night at Tottenham Hotspur.”
Eubank was not satisfied with the answer and accused Hearn of breaking his promise regarding the proposed wager.
“Always a way to weasel your way out of what you’re supposed to be doing, which is honoring your word,” Eubank commented.
Tensions have been high for the Eubank vs. Benn bout, a matchup long linked due to their fathers, Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn, having fought twice for championships in the early 1990s. Eubank Jr. is set to defend his recently won IBO middleweight title against Benn in the main event this Saturday.
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