Conor Benn vs Chris Eubank Jr called off after British Boxing stop fight following positive drug test

On Oct 5, 2022

The highly-anticipated fight between Conor Benn vs Chris Eubank Jr has been called off by the British Boxing Board of Control.

The decision comes after traces of a fertility drug were found in a random anti-doping test for Benn conducted earlier this year.

Both fighters had agreed to fight, but the BBBoC have now said that the fight is “prohibited”.

Their statement reads: “On the evening of 4th October 2022, the Board of the British Boxing Board of Control Limited resolved that the contest between Chris Eubank Jnr. and Conor Benn scheduled to take place on 8th October 2022 is prohibited as it is not in the interests of Boxing That was communicated to the Boxers and Promoter involved on the morning of 5th October 2022.”

News broke that Benn has tested positive for banned substance clomifene, which is used to treat infertility in women but can increase testosterone in men, with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom quick to release a statement insisting the fight would go ahead.

The statement from Matchroom read: “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 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.”

Conor Benn has been confident in the build up to the bout
(Image: Mark Robinson)

Before it was announced that fight had been prohibited, Eubank Jr simply tweeted a facepalm emoji in response to the Matchroom statement.

Back in January, welterweight Benn was briefly removed from the WBC world rankings for not enrolling in their clean-athlete programme.

Eubank Jr was set to fight at a career low weight at a 157lbs catchweight having fought as high as 168lb in the past.

Benn was also out of his favoured weight class – and had been preparing to fight 10lb heavier than he has been for each of his 21 victories.

Chris Eubank Jr (32-2) was going into the bout as a big favourite
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

The ‘born rivals’ are due to face off at a 157lb catchweight at a sold out O2 with the fight also on PPV, 30 years after their fathers went head-to-head in a blockbuster rematch.

Although Benn had the support of his father Nigel, Eubank Snr had called for his son to withdraw from the bout due to the weight limit and even called on fans to boycott.

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