Eddie Hearn and other promoters involved in the now-postponed Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn fight are set to ‘pursue’ legal action after the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) ‘prohibited’ the bout.
Eubank Jr and Benn were scheduled to meet in a 157lbs catchweight contest on Saturday night, but the fight at London’s O2 Arena was thrown into doubt on Wednesday when it was revealed that Benn had returned an ‘adverse’ drug test result.
The BBBofC then declared that it had “prohibited” the fight from taking place, and Thursday brought about confirmation from promotions Matchroom and Wasserman that the bout had been postponed – despite their efforts to ensure it went ahead, per the wishes of the fighters.
In a joint-statement, Matchroom and Wasserman said: “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.”
Matchroom and its chairman Hearn have been representing Benn, 26, ahead of Saturday’s postponed bout, while Wasserman promotes Eubank Jr, 33.
Reacting to the news on Thursday, Benn wrote on Instagram: “I am truly gutted that we were unable to make this fight happen on Saturday and I’m sorry to everyone who has been affected by the postponement. 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 immediate focus is on clearing my name because I am a clean athlete!”
Eubank Jr, meanwhile, wrote on Twitter: “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 [have] happened. He has escaped his schooling… for now.”
Saturday’s main event was set to see Benn move up two weight classes, while Eubank Jr was due to cut three pounds more than usual.
The fight was scheduled to take place almost exactly 29 years to the day after the pair’s fathers, Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn, rounded out one of the most storied rivalries in British boxing history. Their rematch in 1993 ended as a draw, three years after Eubank had stopped Benn in the ninth round of the fighters’ first clash.
