CANCELLED
Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn called OFF and won’t take place on Saturday night following Benn’s positive drugs test
Chris Eubank vs Conor Benn has been postponed following the latter's positive drugs test.
News broke on Wednesday that Benn had tested positive for the banned substance clomifene in August.
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Both boxers' teams were made aware of this finding over a week before it leaked and was reported in the press.
During this time, Eubank Jr and his camp took independent medical advice and the fighter himself decided he wanted to proceed with the bout regardless.
Once the information became public however, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) put out a statement announcing that they would prohibit the fight from taking place as planned.
It read: “On the evening of October 4, the board of the British Boxing Board of Control Limited resolved that the contest between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn scheduled to take place on October 8 is prohibited and is not in the interests of boxing. That was communicated to the boxers and promoters involved on the morning of October 5.”
Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn and Eubank Jr’s promoter Kalle Sauerland attempted to force a U-turn.
But the co-promoters, of Matchroom and Wasserman Boxing respectively, have now conceded defeat in their attempts to stage the catchweight meeting at the O2 Arena
As a result, it has been postponed for the time being.
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A statement released on Thursday from Hearn's Matchroom Boxing and Sauerland's Wasserman Boxing stressed that Benn has not been suspended for the doping violation and blamed the sport's governing body for the postponement.
It read: "After discussions with various parties, we have taken the decision to formally postpone the bout between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn.
"It is undeniable that the British Boxing Board of Control’s decision to withdraw their sanctioning was procedurally flawed and without due process.
"That remains a legal issue between the promoters and the Board which we intend to pursue.
"However, whilst there are legal routes to facilitate the fight taking place as planned, we do not believe that it is in the fighters’ interests for those to be pursued at such a late stage, or in the wider interests of the sport.
"As promoters, we take our obligations and duties very seriously, and a full investigation will now need to take place.
"We will be making no further comment at this time and news for ticket holder refunds will follow."
The fight is a continuation of the Benn v Eubank feud that saw the rivals' fathers battle it out in two ferocious contests in the early 1990s.
A catchweight of 157lbs was agreed for the sons to continue the family feud into a trilogy fight, meaning Benn would have to move up two weight divisions and Eubank lose three pounds.
A new date for the fight must now be found and overseas options could be considered, with Benn set to be called to a hearing at the BBBofC.
Benn maintains he is a clean athlete, saying in a statement: "I am truly gutted that we are unable to make this fight happen on Saturday. And I am sorry for everyone that has been affected by the postponement.
"I am still completely shocked and surprised by this and it has been a tough couple of days. My team and I will consider the next options, including rescheduling the fight. But my immediate focus is on clearing my name because I am a clean athlete."
Reacting to news of the postponement, Eubank Jr, posted on Twitter: "Conor got caught using an illegal substance so the fight is off. Can’t believe it. I really apologise to the fans and everyone that bought tickets, travelled and booked hotels, this should not of happened. He has escaped his schooling… for now."
He later added: "Just got back to my hotel room to be greeted by another random drugs test... which as always I'm happy to take. 10 years and never failed one."
Hearn refused to take questions at a press conference on Thursday that was supposed to have been headlined by the fighters, instead claiming that Benn had not been treated fairly in the wake of his positive test coming to light.
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"We do feel that Conor Benn hasn't been given due process, like many others in this situation before him," said Hearn, who denied reports that he had sought to challenge the BBBofC in the high court.
"We made a decision that we felt was in the best interests of the parties involved. This is a sport that is very, very dear to us. I hope you feel that the correct action has been taken."
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