Negotiations to bring Chris Eubank Jr. to Nigeria for a December showdown are reportedly moving forward at a steady pace, according to Ezekiel Adamu, the founder of Balmoral Promotions. The British middle‑weight star travelled to the West African nation in June as part of a broader assessment of his career options following a loss to Conor Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last November.
During that visit, Adamu reiterated his ambition to attract top‑level British fighters such as Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma to the Nigerian market, but he acknowledged that the most realistic short‑term objective is to secure Eubank Jr., whose name still carries considerable draw in the region. Adamu hosted the son of former world champion Chris Eubank Sr.
in Lagos last month, and the boxer was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd as he made his way through the bustling streets of Mushin. Although the scheduled card for Friday in Lagos – featuring local favorite Taiwo Agbaje against South Africa’s Ayabonga Sonjika and a bout between WBO Africa cruiserweight champion Godday Appah and Lekan Muibi – will not include Eubank Jr., the promoter remains focused on finalising a December bout for the 36‑year‑old.
"Chris is as big as it gets for us," Adamu told the Press Association. "We've had big superstars before, but getting Chris here was an emotional moment for me. We are targeting a fight in December. The negotiations are still ongoing, but everything is coming along nicely." The promoter explained that several logistical steps still need to be completed.
"We had to bring him over to see what we are doing, to meet the right people, to secure government backing and to line up sponsors who will underwrite the event. Those are all essential pieces, and we are making good progress on each front," he added.
Eubank Jr. has previously described himself as a "free agent" in the boxing world, a claim that has been contested by promoter Ben Shalom, who alleges that the British fighter is tied to a long‑term agreement with Boxxer. Sky Sports News has reached out to Boxxer for comment, but no official response has been made public yet.
The broader context of Adamu's push for high‑profile bouts in Nigeria includes recent successes. Lawrence Okolie headlined a Balmoral Promotions event in December, and Adamu has been in talks with Eddie Hearn, the Matchroom Boxing chief, regarding the possibility of bringing Anthony Joshua to Nigerian soil. Those discussions were briefly interrupted when Joshua was involved in a car accident in Nigeria at the close of 2025, but plans remain under consideration. Looking ahead, Adamu has compiled an extensive shortlist of potential attractions for the African market.
He disclosed that talks are underway with former world champion Deontay Wilder, who has recently discovered ancestral ties to Nigeria and expressed a keen interest in fighting there. "We are also speaking with Michael Ofo to explore future match‑ups that could involve Fabio Wardley, and there is Daniel Dubois as well," Adamu said. The promoter emphasized that the options for bringing elite boxing talent to Africa are virtually limitless.
"We've already had Lawrence Okolie and Tony Yoka compete here, and we hope Chris Eubank Jr. will join that list later this year. These are exciting times for African boxing, and we are committed to delivering world‑class events that showcase the continent's growing appetite for the sport," he concluded.
In summary, while the exact details of the December fight – such as the opponent, venue, and broadcast arrangements – are still being ironed out, the overall trajectory points toward a high‑profile bout featuring Chris Eubank Jr. on Nigerian soil.
The combination of government support, corporate sponsorship, and a passionate fan base suggests that the event could become a landmark moment for boxing in Africa, potentially paving the way for further marquee match‑ups in the years to come.