Negotiations to bring Chris Eubank Jr. back to Nigeria for a December bout are reportedly moving forward at a good pace, according to Ezekiel Adamu, the founder of Balmoral Promotions. Eubank Jr.
made a trip to the West African nation in June as part of his post‑defeat assessment after losing to Conor Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November. During that visit, he gauged the local market, met potential partners, and explored the logistical requirements for staging a high‑profile fight on Nigerian soil. Adamu has been vocal about his ambition to host major British boxing stars such as Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma in Nigeria, but he acknowledges that the most realistic short‑term objective is to secure Eubank Jr., a heavyweight with a sizable fan base and a name that still resonates across the continent.
The promoter’s strategy is to build momentum with a marquee name that can draw crowds, attract sponsors, and convince government officials of the economic benefits of hosting a world‑class boxing event. Last month, Adamu hosted the British middle‑weight in Lagos, and the son of former champion Chris Eubank Sr.
was greeted by enthusiastic crowds as he walked through the bustling streets of Mushin. The warm reception underscored the strong appetite for elite boxing in Nigeria and gave the promoter tangible proof that a larger‑scale showdown could be commercially viable. Although Eubank Jr.
will not appear on the card this Friday—when local favorite Taiwo Agbaje faces South Africa’s Ayabonga Sonjika and WBO Africa cruiserweight champion Godday Appah squares off against Lekan Muibi—Adamu remains focused on locking down the 36‑year‑old for a December showdown. "Chris is as big as it gets. We've had big superstars before, but getting him here was genuinely emotional for me," Adamu told the Press Association.
"We are targeting a December fight. The talks are still ongoing, but they are progressing nicely." The promoter explained that the process involves more than just a handshake. "We had to bring him over to see what we are doing, to meet the right people, to secure government backing and to connect with sponsors who will finance the event.
Exciting times lie ahead," he added. Eubank Jr. has previously described himself as a "free agent," yet rival promoter Ben Shalom claims the British fighter is tied to a long‑term agreement with Boxxer. Sky Sports News has reached out to Boxxer for clarification, but no official comment has been released as of yet.
The broader context of Adamu’s ambitions includes recent successes on his promotion’s schedule. In December, former Olympic bronze‑medalist Lawrence Okolie fought on a Balmoral Promotions card, demonstrating that the organization can attract top‑tier talent. Moreover, Adamu has held discussions with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing regarding a possible Anthony Joshua appearance, although those talks were interrupted when the former two‑time heavyweight champion was involved in a car accident in Nigeria at the end of 2025. Looking further ahead, Adamu is compiling a substantial shortlist of international names he hopes to bring to Africa.
He revealed that talks are underway with former world champion Deontay Wilder, who recently discovered his ancestral roots trace back to Nigeria and has expressed interest in fighting on his heritage soil. "We are also speaking with Michael Ofo to see if, in the future, we can have Fabio Wardley, and then there is Daniel Dubois," he said, indicating a pipeline of potential match‑ups. The promoter emphasized the limitless possibilities for African boxing, noting that the continent can host a variety of weight classes and styles.
"We've already had Lawrence Okolie and Tony Yoka fight here, and we hope to see Chris Eubank Jr. compete in Nigeria later this year.
The future looks very promising for African boxing," he concluded. In summary, the negotiations for a December bout featuring Chris Eubank Jr.
in Nigeria are advancing positively. The promoter’s multi‑pronged approach—combining fan enthusiasm, governmental support, sponsor involvement, and a strategic roster of future opponents—aims to cement Nigeria’s status as a burgeoning hub for high‑profile boxing events. If these plans come to fruition, the December fight could serve as a catalyst for a new era of heavyweight and middleweight spectacles across the African continent, drawing global attention and fostering the growth of the sport in the region.