Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom gives his take on what transpired during today’s opening press conference for Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn. Shalom had been accused by Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn of being aware that Eubank planned to strike Benn during their face off, but that’s something Shalom denies and says he doesn’t condone.
Shalom on whether he knew Eubank planned to slap Benn with an egg
“I didn’t. I’ve asked Chris Eubank Jr what he was going to say for weeks because of the last press conference, the famous press conference where he went at every other promoter. He wouldn’t tell me, he wouldn’t tell his girlfriend, he wouldn’t tell his manager, he wouldn’t tell anyone — which meant I knew I was in for something.
“When it got to the end of the press conference and he’d not said anything really, I was thinking ‘here we go, I’m through’ and I thought it time to go home. So genuinely I think you can see I was shocked.
“At first I genuinely thought it was worse than it was because I thought he’d slapped him with something else. Obviously now I’ve seen that it’s an egg. I’m not condoning it, but no, Chris Eubank Jr will do what he wants. He’s an enigma, he’s an entertainer, he’s a fighter, and everyone knows that.”
On whether they can still go through with Thursday’s planned press conference
“Is it in doubt? Maybe. Do they have to stay apart? Maybe. Do I condone it? No. Did it need it (to sell the fight)? No…We’ll move on and keep a lid on it but this event is pretty big.”
On whether he’s got to see Benn after the incident
“Yeah. He’s angry, yeah. He’s angry because obviously I am the promoter and he is angry, but everyone’s going to be angry after that and I think things will calm down. Egos have been bruised, hopefully we move on.”