Chris Eubank Jr.'s prospective bout on Nigerian soil this December is reportedly moving forward at a steady clip, according to Ezekiel Adamu, the founder of Balmoral Promotions. The British middle‑weight star made a trip to the West African nation in June, using the visit as an opportunity to weigh his options after a loss to Conor Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November. During that trip, Adamu reiterated his ambition to bring marquee British fighters such as Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma to Nigeria, but he admitted that the most realistic short‑term objective is to secure Eubank Jr.
for a home‑grown event. Adamu hosted Eubank Jr.
in Nigeria last month, and the son of former champion Chris Eubank Sr. was greeted with a raucous welcome as he walked through the bustling streets of Mushin.
Although the British boxer will not be on the card in Lagos on Friday—when local favorite Taiwo Agbaje faces South Africa's Ayabonga Sonjika and WBO Africa cruiserweight champion Godday Appah takes on Lekan Muibi—Adamu’s focus remains firmly on the 36‑year‑old. "Chris is as big as it gets," Adamu told the Press Association. "We've had big superstars before, but getting Chris here was an emotional moment for me." The promoter added that negotiations for a December showdown are "coming along nicely," even as the details are still being hammered out.
He explained that the process has involved a series of practical steps: bringing Eubank Jr. to Nigeria to meet local officials, securing government backing, and courting sponsors who would underwrite the event. "We had to bring him over to see what we're doing, to meet the right people, to get the government support and meet the sponsors that are going to pay for the event. Exciting times ahead," he said.
Eubank Jr. has previously described himself as a "free agent," but there are conflicting reports about his contractual status. Ben Shalom, a promoter who has worked with Eubank, claims that the fighter is actually tied to a long‑term agreement with the promotional outfit Boxxer.
Sky Sports News has reached out to Boxxer for clarification, but a definitive answer has yet to be provided. The broader context of Adamu's ambitions is worth noting. In December, former British champion Lawrence Okolie fought on a Balmoral Promotions card, and Adamu has been in talks with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing regarding a potential Joshua appearance. Those discussions were temporarily sidetracked when Joshua was involved in a car accident in Nigeria at the close of 2025, but the promoter remains hopeful that the former two‑time heavyweight champion could still make a future appearance.
Looking further ahead, Adamu is compiling a "hefty shortlist" of elite fighters who could headline African events in the coming years. He mentioned that Deontay Wilder has expressed interest after learning of his Nigerian heritage, and that conversations are ongoing with Michael Ofo to potentially bring Fabio Wardley to the continent.
Daniel Dubois is also on the radar, along with other notable names. "The options are endless for us here in Africa and at some point we'll see them," Adamu said. "We've had Lawrence Okolie fight here, Tony Yoka fight here and hopefully we should have Chris Eubank Jr fight here at some point this year, so exciting times for African boxing." The significance of securing a high‑profile bout in Nigeria extends beyond the immediate financial gains of ticket sales and broadcast rights.
It represents a strategic push to elevate the profile of African boxing on the global stage, attract international investment, and inspire a new generation of fighters from the region. By hosting a star like Eubank Jr., Balmooral Promotions hopes to demonstrate that Nigeria can support world‑class events, thereby encouraging other promoters and sanctioning bodies to consider the country as a viable venue for future title fights. If the December fight materialises, it could serve as a catalyst for a broader schedule of marquee match‑ups across the continent. The promoter envisions a calendar that includes not only heavyweight and middleweight clashes but also title bouts in lighter divisions, women's boxing showcases, and mixed‑martial‑arts events.
Such a diversified program would help build a sustainable ecosystem for combat sports in Africa, fostering local talent, creating jobs, and generating tourism revenue. In summary, while the exact date, venue, and opponent for Chris Eubank Jr.'s potential Nigerian appearance are still being finalized, the momentum behind the negotiations appears strong.
Ezekiel Adamu's commitment, combined with growing interest from top‑tier fighters and the backing of local authorities, suggests that the dream of a major boxing spectacle in Nigeria could soon become a reality. The upcoming months will be crucial as contracts are signed, logistics are ironed out, and promotional campaigns ramp up, all with the aim of delivering a memorable night of boxing for fans across Africa and beyond.