Conor Benn’s O2 Arena superfight with Chris Eubank Jr has been thrown into disarray after a banned substance was found during pre-fight drug testing. The British Boxing Board of Control released a statement saying the bout is “prohibited” from taking place “as it is not in the interests of boxing”.
Eddie Hearn responded during a Matchroom Boxing live stream saying work is underway to get the fight staged. The promoter said "It's with the lawyers going backwards and forwards now...ultimately conversations have to be had with the lawyers, the teams and the BBBoC".
The drug in question is clomifene, which was found to be present in the A-Sample Benn submitted to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. Benn’s B-Sample has not yet been tested, but Matchroom have said that the fighter has undertaken a doping control test with UK Anti-Doping. They report there was no banned substances found in this sample.
The drug is used to increase fertility in women, but it has been found to have effects on males too. The medication increases testosterone levels which would have performance-enhancing capabilities in a professional athlete. In a 2003 study for the International Journal of Impotence Research, it was found that “significant increases” in testosterone were reported in all patients taking the drug as part of the study.
BrandeisMD, an online “Male Rejuvenation Center” lists the drug as one that can “usually achieve a 100% increase in T levels. In some cases, one may see up to a 200% increase”.
The public workouts are still taking place as planned while Matchroom remain locked in talks with the BBBoC as this article is being published.
