Ben Shalom Teases Chris Eubank Jr 2026 return

The career of Chris Eubank Jr is often somewhat of an enigma. His best wins had come against James DeGale and Arthur Abraham. He avenged his loss to Liam Smith, stopping the Liverpulian in 2023. Two memorable fights against Conor Benn were in 2025, with many wondering whether we would see Eubank in the ring again. His promoter, Ben Shalom, has spoken to BoxingScene, clarifying the 36-year-old’s future.

Chris Eubank Jr return teased by promoter Ben Shalom

Concerns over Chris Eubank Jr’s health were magnified by his lacklustre showing against Benn in their rematch. The determination he showed in the first fight seemed to have been drained from him.

Little has been said by those close to Eubank Jr (35-4, 25 KOs) about his health and future in the sport. Boxxer founder and CEO Shalom spoke to BoxingScene, teasing a 2026 return for Eubank Jr:

“I actually am going to see him this week, he’s had a lot of stuff to do medically to really try and flush and get rid of what he’s been dealing with,” Shalom said. “So once that’s done he will be back, probably at 168. But there was an underlying issue that he had to get rid of and I think we all knew that, but hopefully looking forward to him being back in the middle of the year.”

It is clear watching the fight back that Eubank was far from 100%, and that’s not to take any credit away from Benn’s performance. When asked whether the weight restrictions placed on Eubank had affected his health issues, Shalom said:

“Actually no, could it have been exacerbated by it? Possibly,” replied Shalom. “Are the rehydration clauses, should they be banned by the board? Yeah, but we’re all, the promoters and the fighters are always going to do anything in their advantage. Every advantage you can take in the fight you’re going to take. So when you offer fighters loads of money to do stupid things, that’s what they do, that’s unfortunately it.

“Most people wouldn’t get in a ring for money, so they’re going to offer, they’ll accept anything, and that’s where it takes the regulator to say, ‘That’s not allowed.’ It shouldn’t be allowed. I regret seeing it, but ultimately the fighters have that choice over their own body and there’s only so much you can do. It won’t happen again, but I wouldn’t want to see it again in boxing to be honest. I think it’s really dangerous and will lead to something pretty bad.”

It remains unclear what the exact issue is, but when asked if it can be fully resolved, Shalom clarified: “It has to be resolved in some sense otherwise you couldn’t allow him to get in the ring again,” said Shalom. 

“So that’s why he’s taking the time out. There wasn’t enough time between April and what ended up November, but initially September, to sort out the issue. It was something that needed, required proper medical attention, and he didn’t get that but now he’s getting that. It gets beyond that, he lives the life and then he could come back in a healthy and safe way, but until that’s completely resolved then he won’t be getting in the ring. But from the procedures, everything that he’s had so far, it’s looking like he’ll make a full recovery.”

Chris Eubank Jr – Revealing the underlying issue

After the first Conor Benn fight and in the build-up, Chris Eubank Jr appeared forthcoming, but whether he reveals what he was dealing with around the rematch with Benn remains to be seen. However, his promoter Ben Shalom thinks clarity will come in the future:

“I think he will in his own time, I think he will, but he didn’t want to make excuses on the night,” Shalom said. “He wasn’t happy with me intimating what might have happened because he doesn’t want to make excuses, that’s just who he is. 

“But I couldn’t believe what he went through, I really couldn’t. It was mad but even the first fight he wasn’t 100 per cent. So seeing him go and do that, I think doing that twice in a year with what he was dealing with was just too much for his body.”

Who would you like to see Chris Eubank Jr face at super middleweight?