The British Boxing Board of Control has announced that the forthcoming fight between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jnr can not go ahead.
Benn had returned an “adverse analytical finding” for traces of a drug related to fertility, but promoters Matchroom Boxing and Wasserman had previously the fight would still go ahead, despite the breach.
However in a statement, the board said, ” 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. That was communicated to the Boxers and Promoters involved on the morning of 5th October 2022″.
A joint statement from Matchroom and Wasserman had 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.”
With the mixed messages it remains to be seen whether or not the fight will go ahead, but as it stands, the signs are pointing toward no.
[Image via Conor Benn on Instagram]