British boxing promoter Frank Warren and fighter Chris Eubank Jr have been encouraged to settle their ongoing legal battle outside of court. The dispute arose after Eubank made controversial remarks at a press conference in September, criticizing Warren's integrity during a promotional event for the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol title fight.
Although Eubank later apologized and Warren accepted the apology, the 73-year-old promoter filed a slander and libel lawsuit in December, citing damage to his reputation.
The case reached London’s High Court for a preliminary hearing to assess the implications of Eubank’s statements and his subsequent social media posts.
Warren's legal team described Eubank’s remarks as a serious and direct attack on his character, claiming they suggested Warren had deceived boxers over two decades. On the other hand, Eubank’s lawyers argued that press conference banter is often exaggerated for entertainment and should not be taken as literal accusations.
Presiding Judge Robert Jay concluded that Eubank’s comments implied Warren had consistently engaged in dishonest practices in his role as a promoter.
Despite this, the judge advised both sides to consider resolving the matter through mediation rather than pursuing a full trial, stating that the nature of the dispute made it suitable for an out-of-court settlement.
ADD A COMMENT :