CHRIS EUBANK JR’s and Conor Benn’s massive clash is OFF and the whole circus has descended into a farce.
Eddie Hearn tried a last-minute scramble to get the fight moved to Luxembourg or Malta, but there was no way he could make it happen.
The British Boxing board of Control ‘prohibited’ the fight after Benn’s failed drugs test, however promoter Eddie Hearn fought for the bout to go ahead.
But now the fight is now OFF, Hearn has confirmed.
We’ll be bringing you all of the latest updates as they unfold here.
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
‘It would have been a travesty’
Legendary sports writer and SunSport’s voice of boxing Colin Hart has had his say on the abandoned Benn v Eubank fight – and he’s relieved it is not going ahead.
Hart said: “Mercifully, Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr will not now be battling it out tomorrow.
“Boxing can heave a huge sign of relief it’s not facing the possibility of a catchweight catastrophe.
“I regard it as a blessing in disguise.
“Despite the obvious box-office appeal, I felt it had no validity and was a highly-dangerous enterprise considering the huge difference in size between the two men.
“If the weight controversy wasn’t serious enough, Conor being allowed to carry on after failing a dope test would have been a travesty.”
Read Colin Hart’s full punchy column on the incredible Benn Eubank events here.
‘No Words’
Chris Eubank Jr spent much of yesterday afternoon taking jabs at Conor Benn over Twitter after their fight was officially called off.
The pair were set to go head-to-head at the O2 on Saturday night in a highly-anticipated bout before Benn failed his VADA drug test.
A furious Eubank Jr last night posted this video of Conor Benn speaking to Sky Sports.
Dave Kidd: Hearn an artist of hypocrisy and contradiction
There is one man in boxing who never takes it on the chin – and that is Eddie Hearn.
Even after his fighter, Conor Benn, failed a drug test and caused the postponement of tomorrow’s scrap with Chris Eubank Jr, the promoter had the barefaced cheek to point the finger of blame at the British Boxing Board of Control.
Even by boxing’s snake-belly standards, this was low.
News of Benn testing positive for Clomifene – a drug which boosts testosterone – emerged on Wednesday, swiftly followed by the BBBofC announcing their refusal to sanction the fight.
Yet it was not until after 27 hours of furious wriggling that Hearn, and Eubank Jr’s promoter Kalle Sauerland, finally threw in the towel and called off the whole farce.
That came in a statement which claimed the Board of Control’s actions were ‘procedurally flawed and without due process’.
Hearn claimed there would be ‘no further statement’. Then staged a press conference. Then refused to take any questions.
Then blamed the media for reporting what he had told them the previous day – that he would seek an injunction against the Board and approach foreign commissions to preside over the fight.
This is a sport which operates like the Wild West, but where the outlaws seem genuinely stunned when the Sheriff dares to flex his muscles.
Read the rest of Dave Kidd’s brilliant column…
Hearn points the finger
Incredibly, Hearn has blamed the BBBofC for him having to cancel the whole show, including the undercard, writes WALLY DOWNES JR.
Exclusive broadcasters DAZN will have suffered a huge financial blow.
The undercard fighters did not get as far as the Friday weigh-in, which usually triggers guaranteed payment.
But Matchroom boss Hearn will be under pressure to compensate them.
Benn failed a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) test.
But he has not been suspended as that is decided by the UK Anti-Doping body (UKAD). They have requested access to the samples.
I will make Eu pay
Chris Eubank Jr promised Conor Benn he will punish him for wrecking their £25million fight by failing a drug test.
Benn tested positive for traces of Clomifene, which can boost testosterone, and the British Boxing Board of Control refused to sanction the showdown.
Promoter Eddie Hearn tried to overturn the BBBofC’s decision but was forced to eventually cancel under mounting public pressure.
Gutted Eubank Jr, 33, who still wanted to fight Benn, said: “Conor got caught using an illegal substance so the fight is off.
“Can’t believe it. He has escaped his schooling for now.
“I really apologise to the fans and everyone that bought tickets, travelled and booked hotels, this should not have happened.”
Good morning boxing fans
Chris Eubank Jr was forced to take a drugs test just hours after his fight with Conor Benn was POSTPONED due to his rival’s failed doping sample.
Saturday’s showdown was postponed after Benn failed a drugs test, with traces of clomifene discovered in his system.
Clomifene is commonly used as medication to treat infertility in women who do not ovulate, but it can also increase testosterone levels in men, which is why it is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
As a result, the British Boxing Board of Control pulled the plug and refused to sanction the bout.
Benn has insisted he is a “clean athlete” despite the failed drugs test.
Rival Eubank Jr has also been subject to further testing.
The 33-year-old was greeted by a random drugs test at his hotel room despite the O2 scrap being postponed.
He said on Twitter: “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 & never failed one #CleanAthlete.”
A picture of samples being collected accompanied the tweet.
Eubank Jr has also apologised to his fans who had bought tickets and spent money to travel to the event.
He tweeted: “Conor got caught using an illegal substance so the fight is off. Can’t believe it.
“I really apologise to the fans & everyone that bought tickets, travelled & booked hotels, this should not of happened.
“He has escaped his schooling… for now.”
Matchroom issued the following statement: “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 the fight is in the fighters’ interests.”
Eubank calls on Jake Paul
Chris Eubank Jr. has challenged Jake Paul to replace Conor Benn after their grudge match was axed.
The boxing showdown was thrown into doubt on Wednesday as Benn failed a drugs test and so the British Boxing Board of Control pulled the plug and refused to sanction the bout.
The boxers’ promoters, including Eddie Hearn, worked desperately to get the catchweight 157lb match back on.
But a decision has been made that the bout is not going ahead after all, with SunSport understanding talks will be held to get it rearranged.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul addressed the ongoing “fiasco” on social media and took a swipe at Hearn.
The Problem Child tweeted: “I can’t wait to see all of the texts and emails between Eddie Hearn and all the parties involved in this fiasco.”
Eubank caught wind of Paul’s quip and offered to book him a flight to London for an impromptu match.
The British star challenged him to replace Benn after he “fumbled AND crumbled under the pressure”.
Eubank tweeted: “How about I get you a jet to the U.K tomorrow & we scrap at the o2 on Saturday for the fans that are now missing out because Conor Benn fumbled AND crumbled under the pressure. You come in as heavy as you want.”
Paul, who is set to fight UFC legend Anderson Silva later this month, is yet to respond to the offer.
Amid the fall out from his cancelled bout, Eubank slammed rival Benn after a late bid to rescue the fight had failed.
Next Gen also apologised to fans who had already booked tickets and made travel arrangements.
Eubank tweeted: “Conor got caught using an illegal substance so the fight is off. Can’t believe it.
“I really apologise to the fans & everyone that bought tickets, traveled & booked hotels, this should not of happened. He has escaped his schooling… for now.”
Eubank also shared a clip of Benn speaking in 2019 about Jarrell Miller failing a drugs test that saw his world title fight against Anthony Joshua cancelled.
Benn said that his “nutritionist has a go at me for taking vitamin C tablets”.
Hearn: Tickets will be refunded
Eddie Hearn has apologised to fans, and assured them that tickets for Saturday night’s postponed fight will be refunded at the first opportunity.
At a brief press conference this afternoon, the promoter said: “Tickets will be available for customers to refund immediately from the O2 Arena or point of purchase.
“We will be back in touch with the media and public soon in terms of a new schedule date for this fight.
‘We apologise that we weren’t able to bring you this great fight on DAZN but I hope you feel that the correct action has been taken.”
Benn: I’m shocked and surprised
Conor Benn has released a short statement via social media admitting he is ‘shocked and surprised’ by findings showing that he had tested traces of a prohibited substance.
While confirming his priority is proving he is a clean fighter, Benn also said that he and his team were considering all options including the possible rescheduling of a bout with Chris Eubank Jr.
The 26-year-old also apologised to all those affected by the decision to postpone Saturday’s fight at short notice.
Credit: @ConorNigel Twitter
Smith favourite to fight Eubank
Chris Eubank Jr’s next fight will now be against Callum Smith, according to the bookmakers.
The 32-year-old scouser is the 6/4 favourite with Betfair to be Eubank’s next opponent following the collapse of his bout with Conor Benn.
However, there are hopes that the contest with Benn can be resurrected with the WBA Continental welterweight champion a 3/1 shot.
- Callum Smith 6/4
- Conor Benn 3/1
- Kell Brook 5/1
- Gennedy Golovkin 7/1
- Canelo Alvarez 20/1
- Billy Joe Saunders 33/1
Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: “Following the late cancellation of his eagerly-awaited bout against Conor Benn, Chris Eubank Jr now finds himself without an opponent and Callum Smith is the 6/4 favourite to fill the gap and be his next challenger.
“Kell Brook coming out of retirement for an all-British clash as Eubank’s next opponent is 5/1, while Eubank seeking a huge international fight against Golovkin is 7/1, and a shot to win four titles against Alvarez next is 20/1.”
Rearranged fight date
Promoter Eddie Hearn has stressed that this is a fight postponement, not a cancellation.
A new date is yet to be announced and a full investigation is taking place.
Chris Eubank Jr breaks silence
Chris Eubank Jr has broken his silence after the fight was officially called off.
Says he still can’t believe it.
Felix Cash offers Eubank fight
Undercard fighter Felix Cash was offered Chris Eubank Jr a fight still on Saturday night.
Cash is from the same stable as Conor Benn.
Hearn on fight postponement
So there you have it, the fight has been postponed.
But not without a fight from promoter Eddie Hearn.
And he’s released some scathing words on the British Boxing Board of Control in the official statement.
Eddie Hearn statement
Eddie Hearn has released a statement now confirming the fight will be postponed.
And he has called the BBBofC’s decision “flawed and without due process”.
Undercard OFF
The full undercard has now been cancelled too.
News breaking at pace here.
Official UKAD statement
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) Chief Executive, Jane Rumble said: “UKAD notes the reporting of a failed VADA test by the boxer Conor Benn with concern.
“UKAD acts on all reports of doping and always encourages anyone with information on suspected doping activity to come forward and share that with us.”
Conor Benn leaves hotel
Conor Benn has left the hotel in London.
His training partner Felix Cash, who is set to fight on the undercard, has just checked out of his hotel with all his bags.
So has Benn’s coach Dan Lawrence.
Eddie Hearn statement
It is believed Eddie Hearn is putting together a statement on the cancellation now.
Why has the fight been cancelled?
Just two days before the weigh-in it emerged Benn had failed a pre-fight drug test, which SunSport understands was taken on September 23.
He returned an adverse finding for clomifene, which is commonly used as medication to treat infertility in women who do not ovulate.
But it can also increase testosterone levels in men, which is why it is on the World Anti-Doping Agency banned list.
SunSport also understands there could be an issue with a second test VADA took as part of the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program — but promoters Matchroom refused to comment.
Credit: PA Ticket refunds
There has been no official statement regarding refunds yet.
However, when Leigh Wood’s bout with Mauricio Lara in Nottingham was ditched last month, fans had the option of claiming a refund or using their tickets to watch the undercard.
Benn’s team leave hotel
Conor Benn’s training partner Felix Cash, who is set to fight on the undercard, has just checked out of his hotel with all his bags.
So has Benn’s coach Dan Lawrence.
Fight to be rearranged
SunSport understands that talks will be held to to get Eubank vs Benn rearranged.
Hearn’s appeal did not reach the High Court, with an agreement made to cancel the fight before that – there simply was not enough time to find a solution.
And the fighters would have been guaranteed their purses should the weigh-ins, due for Friday, get completed.
Official – fight is OFF
Conor Benn’s fight with Chris Eubank Jr is definitely OFF after Eddie Hearn’s last-ditch bid to rescue it failed.
Saturday’s showdown was thrown into doubt yesterday when Benn failed a drugs test.
The British Boxing Board of Control pulled the plug and refused to sanction the bout.
However, both fighters were said to still be happy to lace up the gloves.
The boxers’ promoters, including Eddie Hearn, worked desperately to get the catchweight 157lb fight back on – which was scheduled to be shown live on DAZN.
But now the decision has been made that the fight is NOT going ahead after all – with SunSport understanding talks will be held to to get it rearranged.
Eubank Jr vs Benn OFF
The fight between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn is OFF.
More to follow.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
