Hearn Determined Make Eubank-Benn After British Board Denies Request
Eddie Hearn has reacted to the decision of the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) to reject Conor Benn’s application to fight Chris Eubank Jr. in the UK.
The news arrives as Benn continues to deal with the fallout of his two failed VADA tests for Clomiphene. Prior to the tests, both boxers had agreed to face each other at a catchweight of 157 pounds in October 2022. Benn was moving up from welterweight, while Eubank was making the lowest weight of his career.
But the failed tests meant that the BBBofC refused to sanction the fight. Benn maintained that he was innocent. In response, UKAD suspended the boxer in April while they conducted an investigation. In the aftermath, the National Anti-Doping Agency removed the suspension.
This allowed Benn to box outside of the UK. As such, he made his comeback against Rodolfo Orozco in a unanimous decision win in Florida. However, there were suggestions that the suspension was removed on the grounds of jurisdiction.
BBBofC On Benn
Thus the defense was whether UKAD could impose VADA findings, especially since Benn gave up his British licence. In response, the BBBofC and UKAD have appealed the decision of the suspension being lifted. Therefore, unless Benn goes through a hearing to clear his name with the board, the boxer will not be allowed to fight in the UK. Those words were echoed by the board’s head, Robert Smith.
“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 said
Hearn Reacts
Despite this being the case, Hearn made it clear that he was intent on going ahead with plans to fight Eubank Jr. However, outside of the UK, the fight does not generate any interest. Both boxers have their fanbase in the UK. Meanwhile, the issue of whether Benn had Clomiphene in his system has still yet to be addressed fully. And yet, Hearn was disappointed by the ruling.
“Very disappointed to see Robert Smith come on Talk Sport and give his explanation without actually speaking to us, again choosing to go through the media. His comments actually were completely inaccurate and that will be dealt with today by Conor and his legal team. We believe Conor Benn is clear to fight, legally.
“For us the focus is on making the fight. And until the fight is made, really, it might be irrelevant. If we get it signed, then we will deal with the situation. I want this fight to happen in the UK, I want it to happen on February 3 at Spurs and I’ll do everything I can to make that happen,” Hearn stated
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