Chris Eubank Jr. eyes return to super-middleweight after medical absence, confirms promoter

Chris Eubank Jr. is expected to return to super-middleweight this summer following his medical absence, says BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom.

The Briton was comfortably outclassed by his rival Conor Benn in the second bout of their duology at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November.

Eubank Jr. subsequently revealed he had been fighting a issue with his body in the build-up to the pair's rematch, taking time away from the sport.

Now, speaking to The Ring, Shalom has revealed that his star fighter is targeting a return later this year, while opening up on his various struggles.

"He's had stuff to do medically, to try and flush what he's been dealing with," he said. "Once that's done, he will be back, probably at 168 pounds.

"But there was an underlying issue that he had to get rid of. I think we all knew that, but hopefully looking forward to him being back middle of the year.

"It has to be resolved in some sense, otherwise you couldn't allow him to get in the ring again and that's why he's taking the time out.

"There wasn't enough time between the first fight in April and what ended up being November. It was something that required proper medical attention.

"He didn't get that, but now he is. He lives the life and then can come back in a healthy and safe way. Until that's resolved, he won't be getting in the ring."

Could super-middleweight return float title chances?

DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel

Ahead of his second bout with Conor Benn, Chris Eubank Jr. spent plenty of time floating the idea he could head back one division and chase silverware.

The manner of his loss to the younger man in London late last year seemed to put paid to those notions - but now, the door is seemingly ajar once again.

A two-time world title challenger, Eubank Jr. is arguably the biggest fighter of his generation to never become world champion, a major absence on his CV.

With Terence Crawford since retired and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez seemingly not in a hurry to restore his crown, there are plenty of paths to the major belts.

An immediate title fight is surely out of the question - but if Eubank Jr. can book a marquee victory this summer, then he may yet get his chance once more.

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