Conor Benn to fight Peter Dobson in Las Vegas in February

Benn (right) had been hoping to meet Chris Eubank (left) next

Conor Benn will fight undefeated American welterweight Peter Dobson on Saturday, 3 February in Las Vegas.

Benn's promoter Eddie Hearn had wanted a fight against Chris Eubank to happen on that date despite his boxer not having a licence to fight in the UK.

They were aiming to stage the bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but it is understood terms could not be agreed.

Benn, 27, said the Dobson fight marked "the beginning of our pursuit for world welterweight championships".

"I was disappointed when my previous fight fell through, but in this sport, when one door shuts, another one opens," he added.

"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, 33, has won all his 16 fights, nine by knockout, but has been inactive for more than a year.

"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," said Hearn.

Benn, who is unbeaten in 22 bouts, last fought in September, enjoying a unanimous points victory against Rodolfo Orozco in Florida.

That was his first outing since the lifting of a provisional doping suspension which had kept him out of the ring for 525 days.

He had been set to meet Eubank in October 2022 but failed two Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) tests for female fertility drug clomifene.

He has always insisted he is innocent of intentionally doping.

UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) provisionally suspended him in March this year but the National Anti-Doping Panel lifted the suspension in July after a hearing.

Ukad and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) are appealing against that decision and Benn does not currently hold a boxing licence in the UK.