Conor Benn is convinced the Chris Eubank Jr fight is still happening after failing a drugs test ahead of their historic October 8 clash. Benn’s statement comes following the news that trace amounts of the banned substance clomifene were found in Benn’s sample A specimen from a drugs test conducted by VADA. The British Boxing Board of Control have since come out to declare that the fight is ‘prohibited’.
A statement made by promoters Wasserman and Matchroom Boxing, which was shared by Eddie Hearn, read: “We have been made aware that a random anti-doping test for Conor Benn conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association returned an adverse analytical finding for trace amounts of a fertility drug.
“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 Board of Boxing 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.”
He continued: “I’ve signed up to every voluntary anti-doping testing there is. I’ve never had any issues before. So my team will find out why there’s been an initial adverse finding in my test. I’m a clean athlete and we’ll get to the bottom of this.”
Eddie Hearn confirmed that they are discussing the issue with lawyers and that Matchroom is doing everything they can to ensure the fight takes place.