Eddie Hearn has denied reports that the long-awaited fight between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr has been agreed.

And the Matchroom boss has warned that if it is not signed and sealed this week there is every chance it will not happen at all.

The pair, whose dads shared one of British boxing’s most bitter rivalries, were supposed to meet way back in October 2022 before Benn failed a pair of VADA tests.

But with Benn now clear to compete, negotiations have now reignited with an outdoor fight this summer now close to being agreed. Reports this week have suggested that an April 26 clash in London has now been finalised but Hearn, who has promoted Benn for his entire professional career, says that is not the case.

He said: “It is definitely not done.

“I would say it’s moving in the right direction. His Excellency [Turki Al-alshikh] has publicly said it’s one of the fights he wants to make.

“I’ve been speaking to [Eubank promoter] Ben Shalom dozens of times a day and I think if we’re going to make it, we’re going to make it this week while everybody is in town and if we don’t make it this week it won’t happen.

“I’m hopeful but it has been very difficult if I’m honest but it’s a big opportunity for both.”

When asked what has made the negotiations so difficult, Hearn explained: “Benn and Eubank just can’t stand each other. If His Excellency wasn’t involved there is no way the fight would happen because I would be negotiating with Ben and in turn Eubank and it would have been over weeks ago.

“The reason a lot of these fights are getting made is because His Excellency is doing a deal with us and a deal with Eubank without the two crossing. He’s capable of saying to someone ‘come on, do that’ whereas if I go ‘Eubank, do that’ he says ‘fuck off, I’m not doing that’ and it all breaks down.”

Hearn did confirm, however, that two dates and two venus are now in the running for the final decision.

“It will be outdoors at Wembley or Spurs,” he added. “We have dates at both but that is not the same date. It has to be done this week.

“If everybody is sensible it will definitely happen. If it doesn’t happen I’ll be baffled but it may not happen.”