Conor Benn's failed drug test has thrown his fight with Chris Eubank Jr into serious doubt.
Benn returned an adverse finding when he was tested at the end of August but the result has only been made public today. The British Boxing Board of Control has said the fight cannot go ahead but both Benn and Eubank Jr insist it can, and will.
The substance Benn tested positive for is clomifene, which is a female fertility drug which can also boost testosterone levels in men. But Eubank Jr's promoter Kalle Sauerland insisted he is confident Benn has not gained an advantage.
“At the end of August, beginning of September, there was a test taken by Benn in which there was this female fertility drug and that was then relayed to us when those tests came back," he told talkSPORT. “The British board follows UKAD and all those tests were presented to us as negative and that’s the position from a licensing point of view that we have received.
“It’s a non-PED, but at the same time it can raise the testosterone levels, but the experts we consulted couldn’t see that it was giving an advantage. So, on the basis of that, we discussed with the most important person on our side and that’s the athlete and he was happy to continue.
“We spoke to Benn directly, there was a direct discussion between the two, but I’m not privileged to that discussion, I wasn’t part of that discussion. We have to focus on the show on Saturday and we can’t be distracted by anything.
“The summary of what we’ve received is that there was this trace finding, but the key for me here is the UKAD findings and the medical advice, which is probably the most important thing here, because we’re talking about a physical combat sport, so that for me is the be all and end all.
Should Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn go ahead? Let us know in the comments section below
“The first thing you think when you hear ‘positive doping test’ is that the fight’s off, then you have to look into what it is... and it’s very clear there’s been a big mistake here from the other side, but ultimately has it been done as a PED? No. That’s what the medical opinions are.”
A description of the drug on the USADA website makes it clear it is sold on the black market. "Clomiphene has also appeared as an undeclared ingredient in black market products sold on the internet for performance-enhancing use," reads the website. "Athletes should be aware that there may be serious health risks and quality control issues associated with buying medications from suppliers other than licensed pharmacies or physicians."
There has been no suggestion that Benn has cheated, with the fighter insisting: "My team will find out why there was an adverse finding in my test but as far as I'm concerned the fight is going ahead. I'm a clean athlete and we'll get to the bottom of this. [Chris] believes in me and it's not who I am or what I'm about; he was understanding and we both want the fight to go ahead."
