CONOR BENN's family grudge match with Chris Eubank Jr will take place in January, promoter Eddie Hearn has claimed.
The surging welterweight was set to face the former IBO super-middleweight champion last October before a pair of failed pre-fight drug tests scuppered the latest instalment of the family feud.
Despite returning to the ring in September for a short-notice showdown with Rodolfo Orozco, Benn – the son of British boxing great Nigel – is currently NOT licensed to compete in the UK.
The British Boxing Board of Control and UKAD both appealed the National Anti-Doping Panel's ruling that Benn was innocent of intentionally taking the banned fertility drug found in his system.
But Hearn is confident the BBBofC and UKAD won't slap his man with a suspension, so much so he's claimed January joust with Eubank Jr will come to fruition.
The Matchroom Boxing chief told iFL TV: "In terms of Benn-Eubank, that fight is going to happen in January in the UK."
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Hearn, however, admits the fate of the fight is currently in the hands of the BBBofC, saying: "We will make the fight.
"Conor Benn is not suspended and we will apply to the British Boxing Board of Control for sanctioning.
"It's up to them whether they sanction it or not.
"He's not suspended, legally, and we don't see how he can't be sanctioned to fight.
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"We'll let them make their decision."
Negotiations over the mouthwatering domestic dust-up – which could take place at the Principality Stadium or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – have reached the business end.
And Hearn expects an agreement to be reached as early as next week.
He said: "We're in final negotiations with both sides to finalise a deal.
"If we don't get it done, we're morons. But sometimes, we're morons.
"I expect everybody to be sensible and get that deal over the line as quick[ly] as next week. And we've got to get it done.
"I know people will say, 'Oh, you've been saying this for a while.'
"Yes, we were waiting for December 23. [But. January, UK, Benn-Eubank, I believe is happening."
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