London looks set to miss out on a rescheduled fight between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr, with the Middle East emerging as host frontrunners.
The pair had been due to fight at the O2 tomorrow night, three decades on from their fathers doing battle in the ring. But the dynasty bout was called off late yesterday afternoon after details of a failed drugs test by Benn emerged 24 hours earlier.
Promoters Matchroom and Wasserman offered some 20,000 ticket holders a full refund for the fight, and talks have already begun about relocating it abroad at a later date.
That would circumnavigate the British Boxing Board of Control, who prohibited the contest from taking place because of Benn’s adverse analytical finding for traces of the substance clomifene, which is usually prescribed as an infertility drug for women.
A major stumbling block to any rescheduled clash going ahead is that positive test, of which the BBBofC is understood to have been informed on September 23 but only chose to act upon on Wednesday.
UK Anti-Doping, the body sanctioned by BBBofC to oversee testing, are currently believed to be mulling over their own investigation into the positive sample, which was taken by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency.
UKAD chief executive Jane Rumble said: “We note the reporting of a failed VADA test by the boxer Conor Benn with concern. UKAD act on all reports of doping and always encourage anyone with information on suspected doping activity to come forward and share that with us.”
Only the VADA A sample from Benn has been tested, so the B sample would also need to be examined, and it remains unclear why that has not already happened. Should that sample come back positive, Benn faces the prospect of a suspension, further prolonging a fight with Eubank Jr, which Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn insisted had only been postponed or cancelled.
Matchroom and Wasserman have said they plan to take legal action over the BBBofC’s decision not to sanction the pair’s match-up. They had planned to take the matter to the High Court yesterday, but with a decision not expected to come until late today and too close to fight, they decided to postpone the bout.
In a joint statement, the promoters said: “It is undeniable that the BBBofC’s decision to withdraw their sanctioning was procedurally flawed and without due process. That remains a legal issue which we intend to pursue.”
Benn has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing in terms of doping.
Commenting after Saturday night’s fight was called off, he said: “I am still completely shocked and surprised by this and it has been a tough couple of days. My team and I will consider the next options, including rescheduling the fight, but my focus is on clearing my name, because I am a clean athlete.”
Eubank Jr, who had previously agreed to the fight going ahead despite Benn’s adverse analytical finding, was scathing in his response.
He said: “Conor got caught using an illegal substance, so the fight is off. Can’t believe it. I really apologise to the fans and everyone that bought tickets, this should not have happened. He has escaped his schooling… for now.”
