CONOR BENN has confirmed his next fight will be against unbeaten Peter Dobson after his grudge match with Chris Eubank Jr fell through again.
The 27-year-old son of the legendary Nigel Benn will take on the American welterweight on Saturday 3 February in Las Vegas.
Benn's Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn wanted a controversial showdown against Eubank despite his star not having a licence to fight in the UK.
It was hoped that the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would stage the huge domestic showdown but terms could not be agreed.
Now Benn has announced that he will battle Dobson, 33, instead as he claimed it is “the beginning of our pursuit for world welterweight championships”.
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He said: “I was disappointed when my previous fight fell through, but in this sport, when one door shuts, another one opens.
“This setback has brought me back to where I need to be, and I'm here to put the entire 147 [lb] division on notice.”
Dobson has a 16-0 record and has recorded nine knockouts but has not fought for over a year.
Hearn said: “This is a big night for Conor where he can send a message to the world champions and elite names that he's ready to take them on in 2024.”
Benn, who also boasts a 22-0 unbeaten record, returned to the ring in September as he coasted to a unanimous points victory against Rodolfo Orozco in Florida.
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That was his first fight since his provisional doping suspension had been lifted.
Benn was originally due to face Eubank Jr in October 2022 but it was called off just days before after he failed two Voluntary Anti-Doping Association tests for female fertility drug clomifene.
The Brit has maintained his innocence of intentionally doping since.
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Benn was provisionally suspended in March by UK Anti-Doping but the National Anti-Doping Panel lifted the suspension in July after a hearing.
Both Ukad and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) have appealed that decision, meaning Benn does not currently hold a UK boxing licence, forcing him to fight abroad.