British boxer Chris Eubank Jr is targeting a return to the ring this summer following necessary medical treatment for an undisclosed health problem that affected his performance last year.
Underlying Health Issue Revealed
The middleweight contender fought Conor Benn in their high-profile rematch last November, but later revealed he had been struggling with a medical condition in the build-up. Eubank Jr subsequently posted a worrying photograph of himself lying in a hospital bed, prompting concern from fans and pundits alike.
His promoter, Ben Shalom, has now provided an update, confirming that the fighter has undergone procedures to address the problem. "He's had a lot of stuff to do medically to flush out what he's been dealing with," Shalom stated. "Once that's done, he will be back, probably at 168lb, but there was an underlying issue he had to get rid of."
Timeline for a Comeback
Shalom is optimistic about a full recovery and a return to action. "We're looking forward to him being back in the middle of the year," he said, indicating a potential summer 2026 comeback. The promoter explained that the issue required proper medical attention which Eubank Jr did not have sufficient time to receive before the Benn fight, which was initially scheduled for September before being moved to November.
"There wasn't enough time between April and what ended up November to sort out the issue," Shalom elaborated. "But now he's getting that sorted. He lives the life and then he can come back in a healthy and safe way." He emphasised that Eubank Jr will not fight again until the matter is completely resolved, but added, "from the procedures and everything that he's had so far, it's looking like he'll make a full recovery."
Rehydration Clauses and Fighter Safety
The rematch with Benn, like their first bout, was contested at a catchweight with rehydration clauses in place. While Shalom does not believe these clauses directly caused Eubank Jr's health problems, he expressed a strong desire to see the practice banned from the sport.
"When you offer fighters loads of money to do stupid things, that's what they do," Shalom said bluntly. "That's where it takes the regulator to say it shouldn't be allowed. I regret seeing it, but ultimately the fighters have that choice over their own body."
He issued a stark warning about the dangers, stating, "I think it's really dangerous and will lead to something pretty bad." Shalom concluded by saying such clauses would not be part of Eubank Jr's future fights, adding, "It won't happen again. But I wouldn't want to see it again in boxing to be honest."
