Conor Benn “takes on Chris Eubank Jr. in Abu Dhabi on June 3” as the rivals move closer to a rearranged fight

Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. are reportedly about to rearrange their canceled grudge match for June 3 in Abu Dhabi.

Benn and Eubank were set to continue their families’ iconic rivalry last October, only for the fight to be scrapped in the 11th hour when the former failed a late drug test.

Sportsmail revealed days before the much-anticipated showdown that Benn had tested positive for the testosterone-boosting drug clomiphene, forcing promoter Eddie Hearn to pull the plug. It later emerged that he had also failed a separate test for the same substance in early 2022.

The 26-year-old is threatened with a pending UK anti-doping investigation, meaning he cannot compete on those shores as he still faces a two-year ban allowed to box on foreign soil after being acquitted of intentional doping by the WBC.

Hearn revealed to Sportsmail last week that he prefers to rearrange Benn’s mega fight against Eubank, despite Kell Brook and Manny Pacquiao both looking for a clash with the welterweight star.

Chris Eubank Jr. (L) and Conor Benn (R) will rearrange their duel on June 3 in Abu Dhabi

Benn was due to face Eubank in October before failing two drug tests leading up to the fight

Eddie Hearn told Sportsmail last week that he prefers to rearrange the competition

And according to The Sun, the second generation scrap is now set to take place in the Middle East this summer.

After Eubank agreed to come to a catchweight of 157 pounds the first time, Eubank is believed to have insisted the rearranged competition be at his natural middleweight limit of 160 pounds following his rival’s drug controversy.

Unlike in October, Eubank goes on his changed date with Benn after a loss – and the most brutal of his career at that.

The 33-year-old was dropped and KO’d by Liam Smith for the first time in January after losing to his compatriot in the fourth round.

Shortly after the fight, Eubank took to social media to reveal he had activated his rematch clause, but he now seems ready to breach that agreement and target Benn again.

Sky Sports and Boxxer, who are promoting Smith, are believed to have never received official confirmation from Eubank or his Sauerland promotions team.

The riches of an Abu Dhabi fight with his nemesis will likely dwarf any financial penalty for breaching rematch obligations with Smith, making their rearranged clash a more enticing option.

Eubank lashed out at Benn on social media following his recent interview with Piers Morgan, claiming he was “100 per cent” sure he was knowingly taking performance-enhancing drugs while accusing him of “playing the victim”.

Now Eubank and Benn are ready to reignite their rivalry in the Middle East

Eubank goes into battle this time after losing to Liam Smith

He tweeted: “I was 99% sure @ConorNigel was a scammer but after seeing the interview with @piersmorgan I’m 100% sure now.

“Imagine failing TWO drug tests and then trying to play the victim!? The balls on this kid!! Or should I say…the balls on him”.

Benn was quick to respond by writing: “You’re sitting there trying to play the victim but tried to blackmail me for £1million. You shit on the house.’

Hearn told Sportsmail last week the pair are still trading insults on a daily basis, which he feared would be an obstacle to getting the fight through the line.

“The fight I still like is the Chris Eubank fight because right now privately they both DM each other with profanity every day and that leads to a great promotion,” the Matchroom boss said.

“Obviously a part of me wants to see this fight after it flunked last time. So we had a few offers for Conor Benn to fight internationally, for me I would prefer Chris Eubank Jr but we’ll have to see what develops over the next few days.