Chris Eubank Jr. Eyes Showdown with Canelo Alvarez
Chris Eubank Jr. is setting his sights on a potential showdown with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez early in 2026, contingent upon his success against Conor Benn in their rematch scheduled for November 15. Promoter Ben Shalom shared this information with ESPN, emphasizing Eubank Jr.’s desire to secure big-name opponents should he emerge victorious.
Upcoming Rematch Details
The highly anticipated rematch will occur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, where Eubank Jr. previously triumphed over Benn by unanimous decision in their first bout last April. Under the existing contractual agreement, both fighters are required to compete against each other twice. Their upcoming match will also adhere to the middleweight limit of 160 pounds and include a 10-pound rehydration clause, similar to the initial fight.
Future Aspirations
Should he win, Eubank Jr. aims to pursue a high-profile clash with either Alvarez or Terence Crawford at the start of 2026. Shalom expressed optimism about Eubank’s performance, stating:
“[2026 is] going to be a big year for Eubank. I think he’s going to come through this emphatically against Benn and then he wants the very best. Canelo, Crawford, those are the two names he’d like to fight and hopefully we can make that happen early next year.”
Following Crawford’s recent victory over Alvarez, Eubank Jr. teased fans on social media, hinting at a potential matchup with Crawford for 2026. However, Shalom reiterated that facing Alvarez appears to be a more immediate possibility. He noted:
“Canelo has never fought in the UK, the biggest star in boxing, and you’ve got the biggest star in UK boxing [Eubank], the only one that could make sense for Canelo really. I think it sells out Wembley; it’s one of the biggest fights that you could possibly make in world boxing. Chris is focused on Nov. 15, then we can look at that fight.”
Highlighting the significance of these matchups for Eubank Jr.’s career trajectory, the promoter underscored the potential impact that a bout with Alvarez or Crawford could have, both for his reputation and for boxing in the UK overall.
