EDDIE HEARN has vowed to fight the decision to call off Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn over the failed drugs test.
The two stars, whose fathers had two wars in the 1990s, were due to continue the family feud in a 157lb catchweight clash on Saturday.
But the sold out O2 and pay-per-view fight bout was dramatically cancelled just days before the bell was due to sound.
The British Boxing Board of Control has stepped in and ruled the scrap is “prohibited” despite BOTH fighters wanting to continue with the bout.
However, Matchroom promoter Hearn is adamant they are fighting to keep the clash on.
He said: “We’ve just seen the British Boxing Board of Control statement which is pretty straight forward.
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“It’s with the lawyers going backwards and forwards right now.
“Both guys signed up to a multitude of tests for this fight. UKAD testing, which is the test agency that the British Boxing Board of Control use and are governed by, have all been clear and negative. There was an adverse finding on a VADA test previously.
“There’s not been an official doping violation, there’s a process that has to be gone through.
“Conor Benn is not suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control – ultimately he can’t be as he’s passed all the tests from UKAD.
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“But clearly, the British Boxing Board of Control will take a position on it and we’ll deal with the lawyers.
“Both camps have been made aware, of course, previously to the article coming out about the situation.
“Both camps are prepared to progress with the fight but ultimately the conversations have to be had with the lawyers and the teams and the British Boxing Board of Control.”
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.”
It emerged earlier that Benn, 26, had returned an adverse finding in his pre-fight drug test for the banned substance clomifene.
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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.
Eubank Jr’s promoter Kalle Sauerland had declared that his star was happy to still get into the ring.
He said: “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.”
However, the BBBoC took events out of their hands by banning the fight.
Eubank Jr, 33, was preparing to fight at a career-lowest weight, following stints at 160lb at middleweight and even 168lb.
Benn was also preparing to fight 10lb above any of his 21 prior wins in the ring.
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.
Hearn has now launched an appeal against the decision, and added: “Technically Conor is not suspended so he is clear to fight but the board won’t sanction it.
“They can’t suspend him because he has passed all his UKAD tests, they cannot suspend Conor Benn so he should be free to fight on Saturday.
“There will be no hearing as the board does not recognise VADA so can we reschedule for three or four weeks?
“We need to get in a room and be sensible and see what the situation is.”
He added: “It’s all the controversy around the catchweight and the comments around it, I think it has influenced their decision.
“They will not suspend him so he should be able to fight. An injunction is something that could be done.
“Our advice has been that we would be successful with one but it’s not something we want to do.
“We could go with another board or commission but I respect the BBBofC.
“We just need to know if Conor is clear to fight or not. and they don’t seem to know the answer.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
