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Conor Benn v Chris Eubank Jr in doubt as boxing board ‘prohibits’ fight after ‘adverse’ drugs test
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Published 05/10/2022 at 15:01 GMT+1
Conor Benn returned an adverse analytical finding during a random anti-doping test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, promoters Matchroom Boxing and Wasserman said in a joint statement. However, the fight – set to take place at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday – is now in doubt. The pair were set to fight some 30 years after their fathers Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr fought.
Conor Benn looks on prior to the WBA Continental Welterweight Title fight between Conor Benn and Chris Van Heerden at AO Arena on April 16, 2022 in Manchester, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
The fight between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr is in doubt after the British Boxing Board of Control ruled the bout is "prohibited and not in the interests of boxing".
Benn returned an "adverse analytical finding for trace amounts of a fertility drug", a statement from Matchroom and Wasserman Boxing read on Wednesday morning.
"We have been made aware that a random anti-doping test for Conor Benn, conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, returned an adverse analytical finding for trace amounts of a fertility drug," the Matchroom and Wasserman Boxing statement read.
"The B sample has yet to be tested, meaning that no rule violation has been confirmed. Indeed, Mr Benn has not been charged with any rule violation, he is not suspended, and he remains free to fight.
"Mr Benn has since passed a doping control test conducted by the UK Anti-Doping Agency, the anti-doping authority to which the British Board of Boxing Control has delegated its doping control testing for the bout.
"Mr Benn has passed all doping control tests conducted by UKAD.
"Both fighters have taken medical and legal advice, are aware of all relevant information, and wish to proceed with the bout this Saturday."
The fight, if it does go ahead, would be some 30 years after their fathers Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr met – in 1990 and 1993 – with Eubank winning the first bout, and the second a split-decision draw.
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