Promoters aren’t giving up on the Chris Eubank Jr.-Conor Benn fight
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The Chris Eubank Jr.-Conor Benn promoters are scrambling to save the fight, which is in jeopardy after Benn tested positive for a banned substance.
The British Boxing Board of Control, which oversees the sport in the U.K., has indicated that it will not sanction the bout — scheduled for Saturday in London — in light of Benn’s failed test for a testosterone booster.
Sources told ESPN that executives from Matchroom Boxing and Wasserman Boxing are courting other bodies to sanction the event.
That could include the Luxembourg Boxing Federation, which oversaw the 2012 fight between David Haye and Derek Chisora after the BBBofC pulled out as a result of a fracas at a pre-fight news conference.
Another possibility is the British and Irish Boxing Authority, which sanctioned fights involving YouTuber KSI.
ESPN also reported that Matchroom Chairman Eddie Hearn is seeking an injunction to allow the showdown at O2 Arena to take place.
Hearn said in a statement: “The B sample has yet to be tested, meaning that no rule violation has been confirmed. Indeed, Mr. Benn has not been charged with any rule violation, he is not suspended, and he remains free to fight.
“Mr. Benn has since passed a doping control test conducted by the UK Anti-Doping Agency, the anti-doping authority to which the British Boxing Board of Control has delegated its doping control testing for the bout. Mr. Benn has passed all doping control tests conducted by UKAD.
“Both fighters have taken medical and legal advice, are aware of all relevant information, and wish to proceed with the bout this Saturday.”
The BBBofC later indicated that the fight is off. It’s statement read: “On the evening of 4th October 2022, the Board of the British Boxing Board of Control Limited resolved that the contest between Chris Eubank Jnr. and Conor Benn scheduled to take place on 8th October 2022 is prohibited as it is not in the interests of Boxing. That was communicated to the Boxers and Promoters involved on the morning of 5th October 2022.”
Meanwhile, Benn said that he’s “a clean athlete.”
“I’ve not committed any violations, I’ve not been suspended, so as far as I’m concerned the fight is still going ahead,” he said to members of the media after a workout. “I’ve signed up to every voluntary anti-doping test under the sun, throughout my whole career I’m tested, I’ve always come back negative, I’ve never had any issues before.
“My team will find out why there has been an initial adverse finding in my test, but as far as I’m concerned the fight is going ahead. I’m a clean athlete and we’ll get to the bottom of this.”
He went on: “We both (Benn and Eubank) want the fight to go ahead. We’ve both taken medical and legal advice and we both want the fight to happen for the fans. He fully believes, he believes in me, and it’s not who I am, or what I’m about. I’m a pro athlete and he was understanding.”
Benn tested positive for Clomifene, a fertility drug for women that reportedly can increase testosterone levels in men. He was tested by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
