BBBofC Rejects Benn’s Request For UK Bout With Eubank Jr.
Chris Eubank Jr. will not be facing Conor Benn in the UK after the latter’s application to have the fight was dismissed in today’s boxing news.
The British Boxing Board of Control have responded emphatically to Benn by ruling out a prospective fight date of February 3rd, 2024. The two boxers have long been linked with a fight ever since they had signed on the dotted line for a bout at 157 pounds.
Benn was moving up from 147, while Eubank Jr. was making a career-low weight. However, following Benn’s positive tests for Clomiphene, the fight did not go ahead. The British Boxing Board of Control refused to give it the green light. In response, Benn maintained that he was innocent.
However, his cause was not helped after UKAD had suspended him in April. An investigation was being conducted in order to determine if Benn would get a ban. In response, the National Anti-Doping Agency lifted his suspension. That allowed Benn to fight outside of the UK only since he had given up his license.
A return fight against Rodolfo Orozco in Florida played out, with the Brit winning by a unanimous decision. Nevertheless, the British Boxing Board of Control and UKAD appealed Benn’s suspension being lifted. This was after suggestions that his defense was based on a technicality. This was after suggestions that UKAD could not impose VADA findings. Despite this being the case, Eddie Hearn remained confident that a fight would go ahead next year.
Hearn Reacts
“From our side, we’re in a good place. There’s two jobs to be done. One is getting Conor Benn ready to sign. And we’re in a very good place, and one is getting [promoter] Kalle [Sauerland] getting Chris Eubank to sign. I think Kalle is in the process of getting through everything. We could sign on Monday but obviously need to be in a position with Kalle to move forward. Hopefully it’s imminent. UK, hopefully January 27 or February 3. I think Spurs on February 3 is the one,” Hearn stated
But now it is clear that Benn is required to undergo a hearing, which is why he will only be allowed to box in the UK once that appeal is concluded with a positive outcome.
BBBofC Reacts
“The Board feel that any athlete, not just a boxer, but any athlete who has failed a drugs test needs to go through an investigation with the proper authorities and that hasn’t happened. We’re waiting for that to happen and the Boxing Board and UKAD have been pushing for that to happen right from the beginning of this and unfortunately it’s been delayed, not through the Boxing Board of Control or UKAD, but through other parties.
“With regard to Mr. Benn boxing in this country, we have had an application for him to box in this country, that has been refused. They can put out what they want ultimately, but they haven’t been through the proper authorities and as I said before we’re really keen to get this done right from the beginning,” Robert Smith (Head of the British Boxing Board of Control)
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