Tensions between promoters Eddie Hearn and Ben Shalom escalated at a recent press conference for the highly anticipated grudge match between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn.
During the chaotic event on Tuesday in Manchester, a physical altercation unfolded when Hearn shoved Shalom while the two were on stage.
Now, Shalom is speaking out, revealing that he is still waiting for an apology from Hearn for his actions.
The Press Conference Drama Unfolds
The press conference, which was meant to build excitement for the upcoming April 26 fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, quickly turned into a spectacle.
The showdown took a strange turn when Eubank Jr. threw an egg at Benn’s face after Benn made an odd comment about eggs possibly being the cause of his two positive drug tests, which had previously led to their cancelled October 2022 fight.
Just after this dramatic moment, Hearn was seen approaching Shalom from behind and shoving him.
Shalom, who represents Eubank Jr., has accused Hearn of getting “carried away” in the heat of the moment.
While Shalom believes the situation was overblown, he made it clear that Hearn should offer a proper apology.
“He shouldn’t have done it, but he gets carried away sometimes, so we’ll let him off,” Shalom explained.
“He’s not apologised, but I think he should.
He likes to play the big man, but I think he should apologise.”
Eubank Jr.’s Egg Stunt and Shalom’s Reaction
Despite the intense exchange between the two promoters, Shalom didn’t seem too upset by the egg-throwing incident. In fact, he found it rather amusing. “I thought it was brilliant,” Shalom said with a grin. “Very funny, and to be honest, it’s been received really well.”
Shalom added that, considering the circumstances Eubank Jr. had been through, the stunt was “pretty light” in comparison.
He acknowledged that the incident stirred up significant attention, but he believes it ultimately added to the excitement surrounding the fight.
Disputes Over the Fight’s Rehydration Clause
Before the physical altercation between Hearn and Shalom, another contentious issue surfaced during the press conference — a rehydration clause in the fight contract.
This clause specifies that both Eubank Jr. and Benn must weigh in under 160lbs, and then can only gain a maximum of 10lbs before the official weigh-in on fight day.
For many, this clause seems to favor Benn, who is stepping up from welterweight, while Eubank Jr. is naturally the bigger fighter.
Shalom, however, isn’t happy with this stipulation and feels it shouldn’t be a part of the sport.
While acknowledging that the clause is less extreme than the initial weight limit of 157lbs that Eubank Jr. was facing back in 2022, Shalom still believes it’s an unfair rule.
“160 is a lot safer than the first fight, 170 is a lot safer than the first fight.
He’ll be absolutely fine,” Shalom commented, suggesting that the contract was still a better deal for Eubank Jr. compared to previous terms.
Shalom Responds to Hearn’s Criticism of Eubank Jr.
Throughout the press conference, Hearn also questioned Eubank Jr.’s motivation for taking the fight, implying that the 35-year-old boxer was only interested in securing one last big payday.
Shalom, however, acknowledges that money is always a motivating factor for Eubank Jr., but he also believes that Eubank Jr. is still determined to win the fight.
“It’s always money-motivated with Chris Eubank Jr.,” Shalom admitted.
“But he wants to win, and he won’t have any problem beating Conor Benn.”
Shalom’s confidence in his fighter is clear, and while the press conference may have been filled with controversy and conflict, it has only fueled the excitement for this upcoming grudge match.