Conor Benn has spoken out amongst the news that one of his Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency drug tests has returned an adverse finding.
The Daily Mail reported this morning that Benn, ahead of his fight this weekend with Chris Eubank Jr, had tested positive for trace amounts of clomifene. The substance is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Not long after, the British Boxing Board of Control released a statement in which they ‘prohibited’ the fight under their guidance, calling it ‘not in the interests of boxing.’ Despite that seemingly damning intervention, no official cancellation has happened.
Now, Conor Benn has joined the broadcast of the open workout to make his own statement regarding the test and the status of the DAZN PPV event.
“I wanted to say this personally. You guys have read what the Daily Mail have published about me today, and I wanted you guys to hear it from me personally rather than reading it in a statement from me and my team.
I’ve not committed any violations. I’ve not been suspended. So, as far as I’m concerned, the fight’s still going ahead. I’ve spoken to Chris personally and we both want the fight to go ahead. We’ve both taken medical and legal advice – and, as I’ve said, we want the fight to happen for the fans.
I’ve signed up to every voluntary anti-doping testing there is under the sun. Throughout my whole career I’m tested. All of my UKAD tests have come back negative throughout my whole career, I’ve never had any issues before. Even in the lead up to this fight my test have come up negative. So my team will find out as to why there’s been an initial adverse finding in my test. But, as I said, as far as I’m concerned, the fight’s still going ahead.
I’m a clean athlete and we’ll get to the bottom of this. I just want to thank everyone for their continued support, and I’ll see you all on Saturday.”
When asked how the conversation with his opponent went, Benn told DAZN that Eubank Jr was understanding.
“He fully believes. He believes in me. It’s not who I am, it’s not what I’m about. I’m a professional athlete and, you know, he was understanding.”
As of writing, it’s understood that lawyers are now in discussions as to the status of the fight – the Benn camp’s position being that, if he isn’t suspended, how can the board prohibit the fight? More to follow.
🗣️ @ConorNigel talks…#EubankJrBennpic.twitter.com/8U8QXpdNy4
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 5, 2022