Eddie Hearn’s latest comments on the Conor Benn doping drama seem to suggest that the verdict of the WBC’s investigation could have big ramifications on the sport.
Frustratingly for fans, details of the case have been sparse due to ongoing cases and potential legal consequences. Benn has provided the WBC – who are soon to make a verdict on whether Benn will be able to be in their rankings – 270 pages of evidence that he believes clears his name.
The organisation is conducting its investigation because the first failed test of Benn’s was submitted as part of its Clean Boxing Programme in association with the Voluntary Anti Doping Agency (VADA).
Hearn, who has promoted Benn since his professional debut, told Boxing Social that he understands the time taken by the WBC to move forward given the severity of what they’re looking in to.
“This is a very difficult situation for the WBC, and I’m not even sitting here saying ‘come on WBC, come on Mauricio.’ So, now, the WBC’s position is Conor Benn – you are clear to fight at the moment.”
“At the end of the day, this is a WBC test. This is VADA with the WBC. They have to rule on this. So we’re in a really difficult spot where we want a decision. We don’t want to fight without a decision. But what do you want us to do?”
“At what point do we say ‘that’s enough waiting – it’s time to fight again?’ … This happened seven months ago.”
“This is a major, major decision [for the WBC]. Because there are a lot of things that happened in this process that are gonna change a lot of things.”
Hearn’s latest interview follows comments from the WBC’s President, Mauricio Sulaiman, who defended the timescales but provided little other than the fact that Benn wasn’t currently being punished by his organisation.
