Chris Eubank Jr’s possible fight with Michael Zerafa presents a funding problem after two lucrative bouts against Conor Benn. Zerafa accuses him of pricing himself out, but matching Eubank’s financial expectations could be difficult for a fight without the same commercial appeal.
A promoter would have to make the numbers work. Without Saudi backing, that means relying on ticket sales, broadcast revenue, sponsorship and any outside funding secured in Australia. A $10 million purse for Eubank would be difficult to justify against Zerafa, however competitive the fight might be.
“We want the Eubank fight. Our teams have been back and forth. I believe I beat him. I believe that love for the sport’s not there anymore. He’s chasing just money fights,” Zerafa told iFL TV.
“I feel like he knows I’m a risk … that’s why he’s pricing himself out a little bit.”
Zerafa’s view of Eubank’s motivation is his own. Waiting for another Benn payday would make financial sense, particularly when Zerafa offers a potentially difficult fight for less money. Eubank could lose and damage the appeal of a trilogy before getting back to the opponent who produced his biggest earning opportunities.
The Australian acknowledges that Benn is competing for the fight, accusing him of trying to prevent their matchup by pursuing a third meeting with Eubank.
Zerafa also claims his team and Matchroom have pursued government support to stage the contest in Melbourne. That suggests they are seeking additional money to meet Eubank’s demands, although Zerafa confirms that official contracts have not been completed. He provides no agreed purse or confirmed funding amount.
Two large paydays can change what a fighter considers an acceptable offer. Eubank may still want to compete, but returning to smaller money against a dangerous opponent is a harder proposition when Benn remains a possibility.
Zerafa can push for the opportunity. Getting Eubank to accept it requires an offer attractive enough to compensate him for risking his next bigger payday.
