The Chris Eubank Jr.-Conor Benn fight Saturday in London is in jeopardy of being canceled.
That’s because Benn tested positive for the banned substance clomifene, reportedly a performance enhancer. The British Boxing Board of Control, which oversees the sport in the U.K., indicated that the fight cannot take place.
However, ESPN is reporting that promoter Eddie Hearn is seeking an injunction to allow it to be staged.
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.”
Hearn could try to move the fight to another country or have an outside governing body sanction the bout in the U.K., which has happened in the past.
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,” Benn 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.”
Clomifene, a fertility drug for women, reportedly can increase testosterone levels in men.
The drug testing for the fight is being conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
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