One of the biggest sporting events of the year is on the verge of being cancelled.
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn were due to take the reins of their fathers’ rivalry this coming Saturday, but now that the British Boxing Board of Control have ‘prohibited’ the fight following news that Benn tested positive for traces of a banned substance via the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency.
Eddie Hearn, one half of the promotion for the fight, has said that discussions are ongoing with lawyers to determine the status of the contest.
As the news broke, developed, and develops still, the boxing world reacted. Boxing Social have gathered some notable views below.
Chris Eubank Jr
🤦🏽♂️ https://t.co/6uw8anp92G
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) October 5, 2022
Liam Smith
🤷🏻♂️ Crazy game this is that we’re in 🤦🏻♂️
— Liam Smith (@LiamBeefySmith) October 5, 2022
Sam Jones
Conor could win spectacularly on Saturday and he won’t be given any credit unless he gets the all clear first. Until that happens or if it happens fight should be put on hold.
— Sam Jones (@mrsamjones88) October 5, 2022
Tommy McCarthy
They are all at it! #Boxing
— Tommy McCarthy (@Tommymac90) October 5, 2022
Carl Frampton
Boxing does itself no favours. There should be no grey areas. If you fail a test you're banned and in my opinion you should be banned for life
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) October 5, 2022
Michael Conlan
What a fucking joke, this sport is dangerous enough without dope cheats. What’s the point of testing?? I say this every time someone gets caught, they should get a lifetime ban but this is boxing and no one really cares. Much more are at it and haven’t been caught IMO 🤷🏻♂️
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) October 5, 2022
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) October 5, 2022
Sunny Edwards
Benn from Hero to Villain in the time it’s taken to write a press release and upload it.
Let’s see how much boxing, the boards, the fans & the promoters really care when a fighter fails a drugs test.
If the fight is off as reported – I can’t imagine being Eubank right now 😫
— Sunny Edwards (@SunnyEdwards) October 5, 2022
I’m fighting under a German license on Saturday and getting my 5m https://t.co/wLcqE2ZrAe
— Sunny Edwards (@SunnyEdwards) October 5, 2022
Gareth A Davies
But it should simply be off.
— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) October 5, 2022
Dan Rafael
FYI: Basically every fight ever called off over a bad drug test is based on the A sample result. Also the chances of the B being different from the A are less than you being hit by lightning AND winning the lottery. In the same day. Just say you don’t want to cancel. https://t.co/wJIbKaYgXR
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) October 5, 2022
Peter Fury
Very sad situation for Ben Vs Eubanks, I hope all goes ahead for the fighters ‘ promotion and all involved.
— peter fury, (@peterfury) October 5, 2022
Florian Marku
I feel bad for all the situation and for Connor. Someone who is taking this drugs doesn’t believe in Himself. At least, I believe 100% on myself. Bring me two people in there to fight, I will fight and win them both. This drug cheaters NO, but he will get away because of the ⬇️⬇️
— Florian Marku 👑 (@FlorianMarku92) October 5, 2022