Matchroom Boxing & Wasserman Boxing have formally confirmed that October 8th British showdown between Chris Eubank Jr & Conor Benn has been formally postponed. No future date has been given at time of writing. The reasoning for the postponement is due top a failed VADA drug test on behalf of Conor Benn which indicated a finding of the banned substance clomifene. Clomifene is used as a fertility drug for women however in men is used to increase testosterone and can be used alongside other substances according to research conducted by the World Anti Doping Agency.
The news of the failed test came on the 5th of October which threw the event into doubt despite the BBBofC not recognising the validity of VADA testing within the UK. The BBBofC only acknowledge the validity of UKAD (United Kingdom Anti-Doping Agency) but despite this the board confirmed that they would “Prohibit” the fight from going ahead.Talks had been rumored regarding the use of a foreign body/commission to sanction the fight but Eddie Hearn (Matchroom) confirmed that he would not seek to use another body/commission.
Legal talks began with the promotional parties and the Board to force a u-turn with a court hearing being attempted to be scheduled however it is a reported that a ruling could only be given on the 7th, which reports suggest would be too close to comfort for Matchroom and Waaerman to proceed with the event. The main event and the whole card has since been postponed in full.
Matchroom and Wasserman have released the following statement confirming the postponement and suggesting that legal process is still yet to be resolved.
“After discussions with various parties, we have taken the decision to formally postpone the bout between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn.
“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.
“We will be making no further comment at this time and news for ticket holder refunds will follow.”
At the time of publication Conor Benn has not been suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control.
