ONE of the biggest stories to have surrounded British boxing in recent times is that of the on-off-on-again fight involving Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn.
Early in 2022, a potential fight between the two began to get some headlines, and by August, the catchweight contest was announced for October 8 at London’s O2 Arena. However, during fight a week a bombshell was dropped when it was revealed Benn had tested positive for the banned substance clomifene. Subsequently, the fight was cancelled, and the aftermath ripped through the sport, continuing months afterwards.
A two-year battle ensued between Benn and the anti-doping authorities with the Londoner maintaining his innocence throughout. Last November, Benn’s suspension from the sport was lifted by the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP). UKAD chose not to appeal allowing the 28-year-old to resume his career.
Conor Benn’s first fight back in the UK, since his two-round demolition of Chris van Heerden in April 2022, will be against Chris Eubank Jr. A date and venue are still to be announced, but Turki Alalshikh confirmed this week that the fight will take place in April at a London venue.
One remaining piece to be finalised is Benn’s British Boxing Licence, which he ‘voluntarily’ relinquished after the original bout against Eubank Jr was cancelled.
Boxing News spoke today (January 16) with British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) General Secretary Robert Smith and asked if Benn currently had his licence to box in the UK.
“At the moment, we’re waiting for his application. I’ve had discussions with him, so I don’t think it’s a big issue,” he answered. Smith also confirmed that Eubank Jr vs Benn would be overseen by the BBBofC.
The period between October 2022 and November 2024 has undoubtedly been a trying and testing time for the various parties who were involved the original Eubank-Benn fight. The story brought a dark cloud over boxing and further tarnished the image of a sport which has often found itself in the headlines for the wrong reasons.
“I think it was difficult for everybody, certainly difficult for me and difficult for Conor and all the people around him. All I can say is that we test virtually every week,” Smith said.
“Very few positive tests we have in percentage-wise. Obviously when there is a test and it’s a high-profile case, it gets all over the place. I believe it took too long to get where we got to, but unfortunately that’s down to legal people.
“I can’t really say any more than that. He’s had his suspension lifted, he can box.”
With any PED case, high profile or not, one hopes that lessons are learned and productive discussions take place to ensure a smoother process next time. BN asked Smith if more could be done.
“Well, one thing you’ve got to understand, UKAD do all our anti-doping and disciplinary issues, etc. The time taken is really legal. They’re entitled, everybody’s entitled to have their argument with regard to how a finding can come across.
“I would love it to be quicker, everybody would love it to be quicker, but ultimately it’s a legal issue. They’re entitled to put forward their case, UKAD are entitled to put forward their case. It takes time.”
Smith added he was “fairly confident” that VADA and UKAD will be taking tests for the upcoming Eubank-Benn fight in April.
