Conor Benn’s application to finally face Chris Eubank Jnr ‘is rejected by British Boxing Board of Control’ amid appeal in his UKAD case over two-year drugs ban
- Following Mail Sport’s exclusive report, the inside story on the making-of of Benn v Eubank at Tottenham’s ground – Listen to De Haak
The British Boxing Board of Control has reportedly rejected Conor Benn’s application to sign Chris Eubank Jnr. to be accepted rejected.
The two were set to cross paths in a titanic battle last year before a positive test for clomiphene was returned by Benn to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, with the fight finally called off.
He would later be charged in April 2023 by UK Anti-Doping, which threatened a two-year ban after a second positive test.
The British fighter then appeared to confirm that a fight was finally on the cards, sparking another war of words and promising Eubank Jr.’s career. to ‘end’ it, although this latest setback could once again thwart the plans.
Benn was cleared to fight in Britain just three months later, before it emerged that both the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) and UKAD would appeal the decision.
Conor Benn’s (right-wing) application to meet Chris Eubank Jnr has reportedly been rejected by the British Boxing Board of Control
It is this call that is reportedly holding back the BBBC’s decision to allow the fight to go ahead.
Michael Benson reports that the application has been rejected while the appeal in Benn’s UKAD case is ongoing.
“The board believes that any athlete who has failed a drug test should be investigated by the appropriate authorities and that has not happened,” BBBC’s Robert Smith is reported to have said.
A fight on February 3 was almost finalized and was set to take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Mail Sport exclusively revealed earlier this week.
While both sides were making plans for a fight, approval from the British Boxing Board of Control was always the main obstacle to a clash happening.
UKAD is appealing against the decision taken in July by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel to lift the fighter’s temporary ban.
The 26-year-old has maintained his innocence and spent ‘hundreds and thousands’ on scientists to clear his name after traces of clomiphene were found in his samples.
Benn and Eubank had initially signed to fight last October before the showdown was scrapped when Benn’s two positive tests for clomiphene came to light.
He made his comeback in a low-key fight in the US in September.
Eddie Hearn said earlier this month that the fight would likely take place this month, after previously expressing hope that the fight could take place in December or January.
The Matchroom Boxing promoter told me iFL TV last month: ‘Our Conor Benn side and Kalle Sauerland and Chris Eubank’s side want to move forward and fight that battle.
‘We believe that because of the situation where Conor Benn’s suspension is lifted and the case is won, he should be allowed to fight in Britain.
‘We are speaking to the British Boxing Board of Control. We believe there is no legal reason why he should not be allowed to fight in Britain, but it is their decision.”