BOXERS Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn are adamant their fight is still on for Saturday night.
This is despite the British Boxing board of Control ‘prohibiting’ the fight after Benn’s ‘adverse’ drugs test.
Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that he is challenging the decision plus the Luxembourg Boxing Federation could step in and sanction the fight.
Both fighters still went out for their public work-outs following the news and believe the fight will go ahead as they prepare for a press conference later today.
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…
Weight for it
According to reports, Chris Eubank Jr’s weight could be revised.
He is at a career weight low for the bout with his father stressing it is unsafe.
Perhaps their will be a compromise for his safety and for the Conor Benn’s positive test.
“Very much on”
The bout between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn is still “very much on” claim the Daily Mail.
Despite the 26-year-old testing positive for a fertility drug both parties seem to want the fight to go ahead.
Apparently the O2 Arena has been told to expect the fight to still be on.
Press Conference delayed
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn’s press conference was scheduled for 1pm.
However it has been pushed back until 4pm.
It means the pair are still set to meet today.
The Statement
A reminder of what was said in the statement released by the the British Boxing Board of Control.
It 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.”
Paul wants Fury bout – Exclusive
Away from the Benn-Eubank Jr fight, Jake Paul has confirmed he is ready to fight Tommy Fury next and in the UK – but warned it is his rival’s third and final chance.
The celebrity boxers have TWICE signed for a grudge match but both times Fury was withdrawn.
An injured rib last December and US visa issues this August saw the 2019 Love Islander pulled out of the pay-per-view paydays.
Paul told SunSport: “This is his last chance, last chance for Tommy.
“And I’m still not sure if we’ll really run that, it’s just an idea, our teams are talking. But there might be bigger fights.
“When I beat Anderson Silva, a lot more people are going to want to fight me, so there might be bigger names out there and more interesting opportunities.
“It could happen and if it does I’m happy to come to the UK.”
Hearn labelled hypocrite
Conor Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn has been labelled a hypocrite by fans regarding his stance after the positive drugs test.
Hearn is looking for ways to get the fight on but a video has emerged of him talking about when Billy Joe Saunders pulled out of his fight with Demetrius Andrade in 2018.
In the clip he says to ignore a drugs test results would be a “mockery”.
“What is the point in signing up for drug testing if, when you fail, everyone just goes, ‘Oh don’t worry about, just let him fight’, you know?”
“The argument of ‘well it’s alright with UKAD’ is totally irrelevant, you’ve signed for drug testing with VADA – the best testing agency, in my opinion, in the sport.
“I really I wanted this fight to happen, but he failed a VADA test. You can’t ignore it, otherwise the sport’s a mockery.”
Luxembourg key?
With the British Boxing Board of Control prohibiting the fight, both will now look for loopholes in the rules to get the fight to still go ahead.
Looking at what David Haye and Derek Chisora did back in 2012, they had their fight licensed by the the Luxembourg Boxing Federation.
Neither of those fighters held a British boxing license at the time but European federations can still give fights the green light if they choose to.
Could we see Benn and Eubank head to Europe for a license but still fight in the UK?
The Test – explained
Is the fight on or off? At this point there is no confirmation either way.
Their is confusion because Benn was positive on a test from VADA.
But the British Boxing Board of Control is governed by UKAD.
According to Hearn, Benn has tested negative when examined by UKAD that included a test after the positive one held by VADA.
Press Conference on
Promoters Eddie Hearn and Kalle Sauerland seem to still want the fight to go ahead with Hearn saying the matter is with the lawyers for both parties.
The press conference with Eubank and Benn is scheduled for 1pm today and is set to go ahead.
Reports suggest both fighters and their teams have been aware of Benn’s positive drugs test since 23 September.
Fight On?
According to the Daily Mail, the fight between Conor Been and Chris Eubank Jr may still go ahead.
The pair are set to meet in a press conference later today with both parties still preparing to get in the ring on Saturday night.
This comes despite the British Boxing Board of Control prohibiting the bout.
Benn latest
After Conor Benn tested positive for performance enhancing drugs the boxing board want the fight off.
However, his promoter Eddie Hearn is battling for the fight to go on.
We will have all the latest on the bout coming your way through the day.
Liam Williams steps up
Liam Williams, who Chris Eubank Jr defeated in February, has offered up his services for Saturday night’s main event.
Williams tweeted: “If @ChrisEubankJr needs someone to fight I’ll happily get it done again. Home from holidays Friday morning ready to make weight and go Saturday.”
Frank Warren speaks
Rival promoter Frank Warren has spoken about the Benn vs Eubank Jr fight latest.
Eubank Jr continues
Chris Eubank Jr spoke about the drugs testing requirements: “I have an app on my phone where I have to designate where I’m going to be every single day and I’ve been on that app for my entire career and I will be on it for the rest of my career.
“They can come and test me for blood and urine unannounced whenever they see fit and I’ve never failed a test. I’ve even been tested on holiday.
“I don’t condone failed tests.”
Eubank Jr on the pads
After Conor Benn’s public work-out, Chris Eubank Jr then took to the ring afterwards all as scheduled.
Eubank Jr said: “It’s a shame, but the promoters, the board, they’re going to sort it out. I’m ready, I’m clean, I’m 60%…
“Of course there’s concerns, but I’ve cut the weight, I’m ready to go.”
What Conor Benn said
Conor Benn broke his silence before the public work-outs today, which went ahead as planned.
Benn said: “I’ve not committed any violations, I’ve not been suspended, so as far as I’m concerned the fight’s still going ahead.
“I’ve spoken to Chris Eubank Jr personally and we both want to go ahead.”
Eubank Jr latest
Chris Eubank Jr said at his public work-out today that he still wants the fight to go ahead on Saturday night.
Eubank Jr said: “It’s a shame, but the promoters, the board, they’re going to sort it out. I’m ready, I’m clean, I’m 60%…
“Of course there’s concerns, but I’ve cut the weight, I’m ready to go.”
Eubank Jr denies Benn phone call
Chris Eubank Jr has denied Conor Benn’s claim that the pair spoke on the phone after the revelation of Benn’s positive drugs test.
Eubank Jr said: “There was no phone call. We haven’t spoken since this was announced.”
More from Eubank Jr
Eubank Jr said on the drugs testing requirements: “I have an app on my phone where I have to designate where I’m going to be every single day and I’ve been on that app for my entire career and I will be on it for the rest of my career.
“They can come and test me for blood and urine unannounced whenever they see fit and I’ve never failed a test. I’ve even been tested on holiday.
“I don’t condone failed tests.”
Eubank Jr on the pads
Chris Eubank Jr is on the pads during his public work-out right now.
He says he still wants this fight to go ahead.
Eubank Jr public work-out
Eubank Jr says the board and promoters are “going to sort it out” and he’s “ready to go”.
More from Eubank Jr
Eubank Jr is HERE at his public work-out as scheduled.
And he says he is ready and still wants the fight on.
Even got his 60% Baby T-shirt on.
Jake Paul makes Eubank Jr offer
Jake Paul has offered Chris Eubank Jr some ringside seats for his boxing return and a potential fight themselves one day.
Paul has offered some front row seats for his Anderson Silva fight on October 29…
Chris Eubank Jr breaks silence
Chris Eubank Jr has now arrived for his public workout and broken his silence too.
Eubank Jr said: “It’s a shame, but the promoters, the board, they’re going to sort it out. I’m ready, I’m clean, I’m 60%… Of course there’s concerns, but I’ve cut the weight, I’m ready to go.”
This is developing at pace.
More from Conor Benn
Conor Benn’s public workout went ahead as scheduled as they fight to keep the bout on.
Promoter Eddie Hearn is currently challenging the decision from the British Boxing Board of Control to “prohibit” the bout after a previous “adverse” drugs test from Benn.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
