Chris Eubank Jr. must decide whether it “makes financial sense” to fight Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas

Chris Eubank Jr.’s promoter estimates the chances of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez facing his protégé in September are “50/50.” Ben Shalom, who recently added Eubank Jr. to his growing stable at Boxxer, said negotiations with the Mexican superstar are ongoing and Las Vegas is the most likely city for the venue.

Eubanks’ name was a surprise at the Canelo tournaments, with Edgar Berlanga considered the opponent to face the super middleweight champion in September. The Briton, a perennial middleweight contender, has not competed in a 168-pound fight since February 2019 but remains one of the most marketable fighters in Europe and has long toyed with the idea of ​​facing Alvarez, 61-2-2 (39 KOs).

Eubank, 34, with a record of 33-3 (24 KOs), knows that time is not on his side when it comes to achieving everything he set out to do when he turned professional in 2011.

“I think he knows it’s now or never, facing many of the names that have been talked about throughout his career,” Shalom told BoxingScene. “He wants world titles as well. It’s good to have someone at this stage of his career who has made a name for himself and is ready for the big fights. He’s a realist and knows the next 18 months to two years is when all of his big fights have to happen.”

It’s clear that the ball is in Eubank’s court. “As always, it’s about money,” Shalom explained about the Canelo negotiations. “Chris has certain expectations for a fight like this; he’s made a lot of money during his career and he’s been offered other big fights, but it’s definitely a fight he wants. Negotiations are ongoing, but ultimately it comes down to whether it makes financial sense for him.”

Financial sense can be difficult to achieve given Canelo’s earning potential. Since unofficially becoming the biggest star in boxing following Floyd Mayweather’s retirement in 2017, Alvarez has dominated the negotiating table.

“I think everyone who fights Canelo knows that, whether it’s (David) Benavidez or anyone else that’s being talked about,” Shalom said. “But I think Chris is such a big name in the UK that he generates interest and money every time he fights. As a promoter, sometimes all you can do is put the deal on the table and present it. Ultimately, it comes down to the fighter and whether it works for them financially.”

What are the chances of a Canelo-Eubank Jr. duel in September?

“I’d say 50/50,” Shalom said. “Like I said, he’s got a lot of options, and if I’m honest, it’s not up to Canelo, it’s more up to Chris – and rightly so. He’s used to making a certain amount of money, and he wants to get what he deserves out of a fight against someone like Canelo.”

If an agreement is reached, it is clear that the fight will take place in Vegas and not in the UK as had been rumored. “We have talked about it (having the fight in the UK),” revealed Shalom. “The difficulty with that is that with the ‘AJ’ card (against Daniel Dubois) on September 21, it’s hard to imagine another stadium card a week before or after. That was the main obstacle. I think Canelo knows that Eubank is the only opponent who can get the numbers and spectacle he wants if he wants to box in the UK, which he is attracted to because of his legacy. That is ongoing and being discussed, but the first offer was for Las Vegas in September.”

If Canelo doesn’t step up for Eubank next, the “immediate goal” is a middleweight world title shot. But one man not on the agenda is the fighter most frequently linked to Eubank in recent years.

“There are no discussions about Conor Benn,” confirmed Shalom.