Conor Benn drugs test: Why was Chris Eubank Jr fight postponed?

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Conor Benn failed a drugs test ahead of his blockbuster clash with Chris Eubank Jr at London’s O2 Arena on October 8 which eventually led to the fight being postponed.

The 26-year-old returned an “adverse analytical finding” in a sample following an anti-doping test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, promoters Matchroom Boxing and Wasserman Boxing said in a joint statement that was also shared by Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn.

Following the news, which was first broken by The Daily Mail on Wednesday, October 5, the promoters also confirmed that “no rule violation” had been confirmed on the part of Benn as he had not yet had his B sample tested. They added that “he remains free to fight” as he has not been charged with any breach of regulations.

“Both fighters have taken medical and legal advice, are aware of all relevant information, and wish to proceed with the bout this Saturday,” the statement added.

However, the British Boxing Board of Control later said that the scheduled fight “is prohibited as it is not in the interests of boxing”, adding that both camps had been informed of that decision on October 5 – and the fight was subsequently called off on Thursday afternoon.

Conor Benn drugs test: What happened?

The Daily Mail reported on October 5 that Benn had tested positive for banned substance clomifene in a random anti-doping test carried out by VADA.

Promoters Matchroom Boxing and Wasserman Boxing later stated that Benn had returned an “adverse analytical finding for trace amounts of a fertility drug”.

The promoters’ statement then added: “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.”

Conor Benn and Eddie Hearn

Will Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn go ahead?

Matchroom Boxing confirmed the fight had officially been postponed following discussions with other parties involved. The full undercard was also scrapped.

“It is undeniable that the British Boxing Board of Control’s decision to withdraw their sanctioning was procedurally flawed and without due process,” Matchroom said in a statement on Thursday night, just over 48 hours before the main card was due to get underway. “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.”

Matchroom earlier also refused to comment on an alleged potential issue with a second test VADA took as part of the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program, according to The Sun.

Shortly after Benn’s adverse finding was confirmed, promoters Matchroom and Wasserman said both camps wished for the fight to go ahead on October 8.

“Both fighters have taken medical and legal advice, are aware of all relevant information, and wish to proceed with the bout this Saturday,” their joint statement said.

The fact that Benn had passed the doping control test conducted by UKAD — the anti-doping body in charge of testing for the bout this weekend — was a key part of the decision to go ahead with the fight, according to Kalle Sauerland, Eubank Jr’s promoter.

Sauerland told talkSPORT on Wednesday: “There has been a trace finding of a female fertility drug in a voluntary testing scheme, which is in addition to the UKAD testing scheme, the British Boxing Board of Control’s testing scheme.

“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.

“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.”

MORE: What is DAZN? How to watch Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn through boxing streaming app

Describing the substance identified in the VADA test, Sauerland said: “It’s a non-PED [Performance Enhancing Drug], 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.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

However, a statement from the British Boxing Board of Control later on October 5 said both fighters had been informed that the bout could not go ahead.

The statement said: “On the evening of October 4, 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 October 8, 2022 is prohibited as it is not in the interests of boxing. That was communicated to the boxers and promoters involved on the morning of October 5, 2022.” 

MORE: Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn undercard: Complete list of fights before main event in 2022 boxing match

Eddie Hearn later said in a video released by Matchroom: “We’ve just seen the British Boxing Board of Control Statement, which is pretty straightforward. It’s with the lawyers going backwards and forwards now.

“Both guys signed up to a multitude of testing for this fight. The UKAD testing, which is obviously the testing agency the British Boxing Board of Control use and are governed by, have all been clear and negative.

“There was an adverse finding in a VADA test previously. There’s not been an official doping violation. There’s a process that has to be gone through.

“Conor Benn is not suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control. Ultimately, he can’t be, because he’s passed all the tests from UKAD. But clearly, the British Boxing Board of Control will take a position on it.

“Both camps have been made aware, of course, previously to the article coming out about the situation. Both camps prepared to progress with the fight, but ultimately, the conversations have to be had with the lawyers, the teams, and the British Boxing Board of Control.”

On October 26, it emerged that Benn had voluntarily relinquished his boxing license after the British Boxing Board of Control upheld misconduct allegations against the boxer.

The BBBofC said: “By a notice dated 17th October 2022, Mr. Conor Benn got called by the Board of the BBBofC to attend a hearing to deal with allegations of misconduct pursuant to Rule 25.1.1.

“The hearing took place on 21 st October 2022. On the morning of the hearing, Mr. Benn voluntarily relinquished his license with the BBBofC.

“In accordance with its Rules and Regulations, the Board determined the allegations following the hearing at which Mr. Benn was legally represented.

“The allegations of misconduct against Mr. Benn were upheld.”

What has Conor Benn said about failed drugs test?

Prior to his public workout on Wednesday, Benn gave a short interview to DAZN in which he addressed the failed drugs test. He insisted he is a “clean athlete” and after speaking with Eubank, both fighters want, and believe, the fight will be going ahead.

“Listen, I wanted to say this personally… Obviously you guys have read [what] the Daily Mail published about me today and I wanted you guys to hear it from me personally rather than reading it in a statement from me and my team,” he said.

“I’ve not committed any violations, I’ve not been suspended so as far as I’m concerned the fight is still going ahead. I’ve spoken to Chris personally and we both want the fight to go ahead. We’ve both taken medical and legal advice and we want the fight to happen for the fans. I’ve signed up to every voluntary anti-doping testing there is under the sun throughout my whole career I’m tested.

“You know, all my UK tests have come back negative throughout my whole career. I’ve never had any issues before even in the lead up to this fight my tests have come up negative so my team will find out why there’s been an initial adverse finding in my test. But as I said, as far as I’m concerned the fight is still going ahead. I’m a clean athlete and we’ll get to the bottom of this. I just want to thank everyone for their continued support and I’ll see you all on Saturday.

On his chat with Eubank, he added: “He fully believes in me and it’s not who I am or what I’m about. I’m a professional athlete and he was understanding. We both want the fight to go ahead and as far as I’m concerned it’s going ahead.”

He later took to Instagram to post a message apologising to his fans but also vowing to clear his name.

With the UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) still investigating Benn’s test, the fighter took to Instagram on October 12, posting: “I hope the apology is as loud as the disrespect.”

What has Chris Eubank Jr said about failed drugs test?

Speaking at the workout, Eubank Jr denied that he had spoken to Benn but said that he was happy to fight on.

Eubank Jr reacted to the news of the fight being called off by alleging on social media that Benn “got caught using an illegal substance.”

“Can’t believe it,” he added. “I really apologise to the fans and everyone that bought tickets, travelled and booked hotels.

“This should not have happened. He has escaped his schooling… for now.”

What is clomifene?

Clomifene, or clomiphene, was reportedly the banned substance found in Benn’s sample in a test carried out by VADA.

It is a medication used to treat infertility in women by inducing ovulation.

It is on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list of prohibited substances. Described as an “anti-estrogenic” agent, it has been shown in some cases to stimulate testosterone levels in men when consumed.

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