Following news of a banned substance being found in his system, it is now being reported that Conor Benn may have previous – news which will make it even harder for the young man to clear his name in the fight against a ban from the sport.
Whilst the headlines this week should be about a good fight between the sons of legends, they’re instead covering the doping test that halted it from happening. Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn’s bout was pulled at the last minute when Mail Sport reported that Benn had failed a drug test with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency.
The drug detected in trace amounts was clomifene – typically used to treat infertility in women but banned because of its testosterone boosting and masking qualities in sport. As we await further information from Benn’s team, Mail Sport has now followed up on their initial story by reporting that Benn is being investigated over claims that he failed another drugs test earlier this year for the same substance.
If true, the new information could be damning for the young welterweight. With a UKAD investigation reportedly pending, the suggested maximum ban for one failed test was four years. On top of that, he must soon face fans, pundits, and fighters who are increasingly turning against him.
With the fight against Eubank Jr already tainted, this story may just bury any potential scrap for good, turning the promoters’ postponement into full on cancellation. Eddie Hearn and Kalle Sauerland have remained keen to get the fight going, even after the news of the adverse findings last week.
The story then presents an ‘eminent source in world boxing’ as having said, simply:
“Yes. Earlier this year. Same stuff.”
Since news of the first test and the fight not going ahead, Benn, his father Nigel, and trainer Tony Sims have all been adamant that he is a clean fighter. As of writing, there has been no official confirmation from the testing agencies or governing body about investigations into the fighter.