Chris Eubank Jr. has issued a public apology and retracted his explosive remarks about boxing promoters Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn, and Kalle Sauerland. The apology comes after Eubank Jr. stirred controversy during a press conference for the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol fight, where he labeled the trio as “scumbags.”
During the press conference, Eubank Jr. was asked about his recent contract with Ben Shalom’s BOXXER promotion. In response, he launched into a tirade against Warren, Hearn, and Sauerland, stating, “Why BOXXER? Because every other promoter out here is a scumbag.” He specifically called out Warren for suing him for breach of contract in the past, emphasizing his disdain with remarks like, “Scumbag.”
Warren, visibly irritated, shouted back, “Speak up, I can’t hear you,” but Eubank Jr. continued his criticism, targeting Sauerland and Hearn as well. Warren interjected, questioning why anyone should listen to Eubank Jr., who he labeled a “scumbag.”
In the midst of the heated exchange, Eubank Jr. defended his stance, insisting that only Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh was not out to exploit fighters, contrasting him with the other promoters. Warren remained agitated but refrained from escalating the situation further.
Following the uproar, Warren addressed Eubank Jr.’s comments during a talkSPORT appearance, making it clear that he would be pursuing legal action against Eubank Jr. for his public statements. “He will be sued and he will have a problem over that,” Warren stated, expressing his frustration with Eubank Jr.’s failure to grasp the legality of their past disputes.
In a swift turnaround, Eubank Jr. later released a statement retracting his statements and apologizing to Warren, Hearn, and Sauerland. He expressed his desire to focus on boxing and his upcoming fight on October 12 in Riyadh.
Warren accepted Eubank Jr.’s apology, acknowledging that he too had previously made comments he regretted. He expressed anticipation for Eubank Jr.’s return to the ring and the potential for exciting matchups in the future.
The history between Eubank Jr. and Warren includes past legal disputes, while Eubank Jr. has also expressed frustrations over Hearn’s promotion of his rival Conor Benn. Eubank Jr.’s recent comments could complicate negotiations for future fights, including a potential clash with Benn, which Hearn has suggested could happen in 2025.
As the boxing community processes this dramatic exchange, all eyes will be on Eubank Jr. as he prepares for his next bout, navigating the intricate relationships with promoters and rivals alike.
