Hearn Rejects £1M Wager

The war of words between Chris Eubank Jr and Eddie Hearn has taken another turn, with the middleweight star publicly challenging the promoter to a £1 million bet on his upcoming fight with Conor Benn. However, Hearn quickly shut down the proposal, citing regulations that prevent promoters from betting on fights.

It all started when Eubank Jr posted a video on social media, daring Hearn to follow through on a previous lighthearted exchange about a seven-figure wager. “Come on, Eddie,” Eubank Jr said in the clip. “£1m, eh? Okay, let’s find out if you’re a man of your word or just a lying hype job.” The challenge immediately caught fire online, fueling anticipation for the long-awaited showdown between Eubank Jr and Benn.

Hearn, however, wasted no time responding, clarifying that such a bet would violate British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) regulations. Speaking to The Ring, he addressed the situation head-on: “Very clever, I think it’s easy to trick the public.” He then referenced an official BBBofC ruling that strictly prohibits promoters from directly or indirectly placing bets on fights they are involved in.

While dismissing the bet as a publicity stunt, Hearn did suggest an alternative: turning the wager into a charity donation. “So, maybe we could do something for charity,” he said, implying that a good cause could still benefit from the challenge. However, he didn’t miss the chance to take a jab at Eubank Jr, accusing him of chasing clout rather than making a serious proposal.

The verbal sparring adds more tension to an already heated rivalry. Eubank Jr and Benn were originally set to clash in 2022, but their bout was called off when Benn failed two drug tests, leading to a lengthy suspension. Since then, Benn has fought twice in the U.S. before finally being cleared to compete in Britain again.

Now, their long-overdue fight is back on—three decades after their legendary fathers, Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn, battled in the ring. But while the fight promises fireworks inside the ropes, it seems the drama outside of it is just as compelling. Whether Eubank Jr and Hearn can agree on a new wager remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the mind games have already begun.