Conor Benn vs Chris Eubank Jr has officially been postponed following extensive legal talks, Eddie Hearn has confirmed.
The blockbuster fight between the two was thrown into chaos on Wednesday when Benn’s Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test found an adverse finding for the fertility drug called clomifene - which increases the levels of testosterone in men.
READ MORE:
Since the news broke yesterday afternoon, there had been a complete back and forth regarding whether or not the fight would go ahead as Benn had passed his drug test with the UK Anti-Doping Agency.
Matchroom Boxing’s managing director Hearn was confident the fight would carry on as planned, stating that both fighters’ camps were eager for everything to proceed, despite the drug result as Benn had not been charged or suspended for a violation.
This was followed by a statement made by the British Boxing Board of Control who stated that they had prohibited the fight because it was “not in the interests of boxing.”
Hearn then explained that negotiations were being held by the lawyers, the teams, and the British Boxing Board of Control to find a way to resurrect the fight.
On Thursday, as the uncertainty surrounding the bout continued, reports suggested that Hearn was looking at an overseas body to stage the fight, which he soon denied. Then it was later reported by The Daily Mail, who first broke the news about Benn’s drug test, that the decision was made that the contest was officially cancelled, ruling in favour of the BBBOC’s decision.
The 26-year-old Benn moved up almost two weight classes for Saturday's fight against his bigger rival Eubank Jr. Eubank has never scaled lower than middleweight, while Benn usually fights at 147lb. Saturday's fight was made at a catchweight of 157lbs.
The fight was set to be witnessed by a sold out crowd at London’s O2 Arena, and many fans feel let down by Benn’s actions which have cost the chance to witness a boxing legacy match. The fight was set to take place around the 30th anniversary of the second of two iconic fights between their fathers, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank.
