Chris Eubank Jr’s manager believes the rematch with Conor Benn can still be salvaged.
The sequel is currently in serious jeopardy after Riyadh Season and financial backers SELA pulled their involvement from the all-British showdown overnight on Wednesday.
It came after Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh confirmed last month that the fight would take place on September 20.
However, Alalshikh made the announcement before Eubank Jr had agreed to his side of the deal.
Both boxers signed a two-fight contract before their inaugural encounter in April, which Eubank Jr won on points.
But some ‘small logistical issues’ have delayed Eubank Jr’s side from putting pen to paper.
Eubank Jr’s manager, Napper Amoakoh, is hopeful that the problems will be ironed out soon.
In a text message sent to BoxingScene on Thursday, he wrote: “Trying to fix it all today.
“Chris wants the fight. He has not ducked Conor. Wants to fight him this year.”
Napper’s comments follow accusations from Benn that Eubank Jr is running scared.
“I’ve heard Eubank doesn’t want the fight. He’s moaning about the weight stipulation,” Benn said in an interview on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show.
‘Next Gen’ missed the 160lbs middleweight limit for their first meeting by half an ounce.
And although he was able to make the 10lbs rehydration clause on the morning of the fight, the 35-year-old was hospitalised in the immediate aftermath due to severe dehydration.
The weight terms remain the same for the second fight, as has been agreed in writing.
But it appears Eubank Jr is more concerned about the date of his rematch than the weight it will be contested at.
According to BoxingScene, Eubank Jr believes a September turnaround is too tight.
Benn, on the other hand, is ready to go and told Ring Magazine on Thursday: “This rematch falling apart had nothing to do with me.
“I was ready to go on the scheduled Sept. 20 date. I’m not sure what happened to Chris Eubank.”