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.
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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.”
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.”
Hearn’s appeal did not reach the High Court, with an agreement made to cancel the fight before that and there simply not being enough time to find a solution.
And the fighters would have been guaranteed their purses had the weigh-ins, due for Friday, been completed.
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The O2 undercard has also been scrapped meaning the entire fight night is off – not just the main event.
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 it is in the fighters’ interests for those to be pursued at such a late stage, or in the wider interests of the sport.
“As promoters, we take our obligations and duties very seriously, and a full investigation will now need to take place. We will be making no further comment at this time and news for ticket holder refunds will follow.”
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.
UK Anti-Doping Chief Executive Jane Rumble said today: “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.”
Benn, 26, broke his silence to protest his innocence on Wednesday.
He said: “I’ve not committed any violations. I’ve not been suspended so as far as I’m concerned the fight is still going ahead.
“I’ve spoken to Chris 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 go ahead for the fans.
“I’ve signed up to every voluntary anti-doping testing there is under the sun.
“Throughout my whole career I’m tested. All my UKAD tests have come back negative throughout my whole career.
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“I’ve never had any issues before. Even in the lead up to this fight my test have come up negative.
“So my team will find out as to why there’s been an initial adverse finding in my test.
“But as I said, the fight is still going ahead. I’m a clean athlete and we’ll get to the bottom of this.”
But Benn’s claims of a conversation with his rival were shot down by Eubank Jr himself.
The 33-year-old Brighton fighter told Matchroom Boxing: “There was no phone call. We haven’t spoken since this was announced.
“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 ten years. I’ve been tested more than I’ve ever been tested for a fight during this training camp.
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“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.”
The catchweight clash was set to take place almost 30 years after their dads’ famous rematch, which ended in a draw.
Eubank had won the brutal first bout three years prior.
The next generation fight for their sons three decades on was due to bank the duo around £3.5million.
Under-pressure Matchroom boss Hearn did all he could to get the show officiated at the O2 on Saturday night.
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 ten people experiencing feeling flushed, sick and experiencing headaches.
Other symptoms include breast discomfort, weight gain and abdominal or pelvic pain.
Hearn met with the BBBofC on Thursday morning and threatened them with an injunction if they commit to their banning of the bout, under their banner.
But then he spoke out to confirm the fight would only go ahead under the BBBoC jurisdiction amid rumours of other national boards possibly sanctioning the bout.
He tweeted today: “Let’s see what today brings but to make one thing clear, I will not be promoting this fight with a foreign commission or alternative governing body on Saturday night.”
And as the British authorities refused to budge, the fight could not go ahead, leaving the boxers, fans – who have just been denied a dream Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua clash – and broadcasters gutted.
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DAZN suffered a huge financial hit when Canelo vs Gennady Golovkin bombed last month.
And the sports streaming app, which has lost around £4billion since its inception and failure to land UK Premier League rights, will be hurt drastically if forced to refund all of the subscribers and pay-per-view buyers who wanted to see this Battle of Britain bout.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
