Hawk from the Legion of Doom used to “awwww…what a rush!” In 2022, for British boxing, a more fitting saying would be….”awwww…what a mess!”
Last month we saw a star-studded all-women’s card featuring two great bouts at the top of the card between, Claressa Shields vs. Savannah Marshall, and Mikaela Mayer vs. Alycia Baumgardner postponed due to the Queen’s death, and funeral. Now we see an eleventh-hour mess as the Daily Mail reported that Conor Benn failed a VADA test, and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) said the contest was "not in the interests of boxing” to continue forward.
Clomifene is a women's fertility drug which has been taken by other star athletes in the past, often called Clomid, NFL player Roger Mathis was suspended for testing positive for the drug.
Why might someone take the drug? Simple - it hints at the need to restart testosterone in someone’s body, and that would allude to the use of synthetic or designer testosterone being used, which if being used would need the use of estrogen to restart their body’s system to produce testosterone again.
Though other reasons are plausible, maybe…. oftentimes it is the drug people use to cycle off, that astute testing agencies test for that catch the guilty party.
So in short, things are not looking good for Benn.
Here is what we know as of now.
The 02 Arena is sold-out.
The pay-per-view in the U.K. will do a massive buy rate for DAZN and Matchroom - and is much needed for both companies.
Matchroom is actively pursing ways for the fight to continue, including taking legal action, and both fighters are fine with the bout happening - are continuing to train and cut weight as though a fight is occurring on Saturday.
“We’ve seen previously how people make their mind up before any news or information, or evidence comes out. It is a very difficult time for [Conor Benn] going through the process,” said Eddie Hearn at a media workout to Matchroom Boxing’s exclusive feed. “From Eubank’s side, from Conor Benn’s side, they feel the fight should progress…”
This is a developing story, but as of right now the October 8th fight is not happening, and more so it looks the entire undercard will be shelved.
