CHRIS EUBANK JR has claimed he did NOT receive a phone call from Conor Benn following his positive drugs test.
The pair, whose fathers had two wars in the 1990s, are in danger of not fighting this Saturday after the British Boxing Board of Control called it off.
The sold-out O2 and pay-per-view fight bout was dramatically thrown into doubt after it emerged that Benn, 25, had returned an adverse finding in his pre-fight drug test.
But it was then confirmed that both fighters were happy for the fight to go ahead, with Benn claiming he had called Eubank Jr to talk things out.
However, Eubank Jr has now denied a call ever took place.
He told Matchroom Boxing: “There was no phone call. We haven’t spoken since this was announced.
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“It’s a shame. But my promoters, his promoters, the boxing board of control, they’re going to sort it out.
“I’m ready, I’m clean, I’m 60 per cent. I’ve been tested my entire career for the last 10 years. I’ve been tested more than I’ve ever been tested for a fight during this training camp.
“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.”
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Eubank then went on to insist he remains focused on beating Benn this Saturday night, albeit with some reservations in the back of his head given the failed test.
He continued: “I am staying out of the politics, I dont know whats going on, I have heard the news, all I can do is be a professional and be ready to fight, I am ready, and as news unfolds we will deal with it as it goes on.
“I am prepared, I have done my job, it is now in hands of promoters, governing bodies to make this fight happen. All I can do is be ready.
“Of course there are concerns, I can’t really say too much. I am ready, I am a clean fighter, I have cut the weight, I am ready to go.”
Benn was told he had returned an adverse finding for the banned substance clomifene.
The substance, which is usually used to treat infertility in women but can increase testosterone in men, is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Benn responded to the findings by telling DAZN: “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 the fight to go ahead.
“We’ve both taken medical and legal advice, and as I said, we want the fight to happen for the fans.
“I’ve signed up to every voluntary anti-doping testing there is under the sun.
“Throughout my whole career I’ve been tested. All my UK tests have come back negative throughout my whole career, I’ve never had any issues before.
“Even in the lead-up to this fight, my tests have come up negative, you know, so my team will find out as to why there’s been an initial adverse finding in my test.
“But as I said, as far as I’m concerned the fight is still going ahead, I’m a clean athlete and we’ll get to the bottom of this.
“I just want to thank everyone for their continued support and I’ll see you on Saturday.”
Eubank Jr’s promoter Kalle Sauerland confirmed the star was still happy to fight – with the boxer then sharing a statement from Matchroom alongside a facepalm emoji.
Sauerland told TalkSPORT: “There has been a trace finding of a female fertility drug in a VADA test, which is seaware from the UKAD scheme.
“At the end of August and the start of September, when this test was done and it was relayed to us when the result came back.
“The board follows UKAD rules and the UKAD tests were negative. We took medical advice and although it is not a PED it can raise testosterone levels.
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“We discussed this with Chris and he was happy to continue and he spoke to Benn directly. They had a personal discussion and it’s a personal matter for Benn.”
Sauerland added: “I can confirm we and Chris want the bout to happen.
“There was a trace finding, the key is the UKAD findings and medical advice. The medical advice is the be-all-and-end-all.
“The instant reaction is FIGHT OFF but then you look into what it is.
“You have to look at the scenario around it and the fact the other tests were not positive.”
Matchroom promoter Hearn also released a statement confirming that the fight would still take place.
He said: “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.
WHAT IS CLOMIFENE?
Clomifene is a banned substance which is known to increase testosterone levels in men.
It is usually prescribed to women to help with pregnancy if they are not ovulating properly.
The anti-oestrogen medication comes in pill form and is also known as Clomid and Clomiphene.
Studies have previously shown that when used in men, low doses can elevate serum testosterone levels.
It works by stimulating the body’s own production of testosterone and is known to provide similar results to injection or pellet testosterone therapy.
It can, and has, been misused by athletes in the past as it boosts performance and can counter the side effects of anabolic steroid use.
Taking clomifene boosts androgen levels indirectly – these are the male hormones that play a big role in muscle mass and strength.
What are the side effects?
Most medications can cause side effects with one in 10 people experiencing feeling flushed, sick and experiencing headaches.
Other symptoms include breast discomfort, weight gain and abdominal or pelvic pain.
“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.”
However, the BBBoC stepped in and declared the scrap is prohibited under their sanctioning, despite BOTH fighters wanting to continue with the bout.
A BBBoC 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.”
Eubank Jr, 32, was preparing to fight at a career-lowest catchweight of 157lb, following stints at 160lb at middleweight and even 168lb.
And anticipation was building on whether he would make the contracted limit, following posts dining out on fast food and puddings.
Benn was also preparing to fight 10lb above any of his 21 prior wins in the ring.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
