Thursday, July 30, 2026

Eubank Jr’s negotiations for Nigeria ring return ‘coming along nicely’

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Chris Eubank Jr’s negotiations to fight in Nigeria this December are “coming along nicely,” according to Balmoral Promotions founder Ezekiel Adamu.

Eubank Jr visited the African country in June as he assesses his next steps after defeat to rival Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November.

Adamu has made his desire to bring British heavyweights Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma to Nigeria clear, but the most realistic and attainable short-term target is Eubank.

Adamu hosted the British middleweight in Nigeria last month and the son of Chris Eubank Sr was mobbed during his walk through the streets of Mushin.

Even though he will not feature in Lagos on Friday when home favourite Taiwo Agbaje faces South Africa’s Ayabonga Sonjika and WBO Africa cruiserweight champion Godday Appah takes on Lekan Muibi, Adamu has his sights set on the 36-year-old.

“Chris is as big as it comes. We’ve had big superstars, but for Chris to come here, it was actually emotional for me to get this guy,” Amadu told the Press Association.

“We’re looking at him coming here for a fight in December. We’re still in negotiations, but that’s coming along nicely.

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“We had to bring him over here to see what we’re doing, to meet the right people, to get the government support and get to meet the sponsors that are going to pay for the event, but exciting times ahead.”

Chris Eubank Jr posted 'watch this space' on his social media during his trip to Lagos
Image:
Chris Eubank Jr posted ‘watch this space’ on his social media during his trip to Lagos

Eubank previously insisted he was a “free agent”, however promoter Ben Shalom has claimed the Brit was in a long-term contract with Boxxer. Sky Sports News has contacted Boxxer for comment.

Lawrence Okolie fought on the Balmoral Promotions show in December and Amadu had discussions with Joshua’s Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn before the former two-time heavyweight champion was involved in a car crash in Nigeria at the end of 2025.

Other big names are on a hefty shortlist being drawn up by Amadu for the coming years.

He said: “We’re speaking with Deontay Wilder because Deontay found out his roots are from Nigeria, so he is also keen to fight here.

“We are speaking with Michael Ofo to see if in the future we can have Fabio Wardley and then there is (Daniel) Dubois.

Chris Eubank Jr hasn't been in the ring since his defeat to Conor Benn
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Chris Eubank Jr hasn’t been in the ring since his defeat to Conor Benn

“The options are endless for us here in Africa and at some point we’ll see them.

“We’ve had Lawrence Okolie fight here, Tony Yoka fight here and hopefully we should have Chris Eubank Jr fight here at some point this year, so exciting times for African boxing.”