David Haye has expressed his concern that Conor Benn fighting Chris Eubank Jr was even considered after news of Benn’s two failed drugs tests came to light last autumn.
The boxing world went into meltdown after it emerged Benn had failed a VADA test just days out from the generational clash with Eubank Jr, which was scheduled to take place at the O2 Arena on October 8th.
In an interview with IFL TV, Haye explained how a potentially enhanced Benn vs a weight drained Eubank could have been a recipe for disaster.
“The fact is that there was a version of reality where Chris could have got in the ring with someone who had legitimately failed a drugs test – and he could have been killed.”
“He was cutting and boiling down in weight, and if there’s ever chance for him to have a brain injury or incident, it’s when he’s weight drained, as that’s where those incidents happen.”
“If that had happened, is everyone involved a conspirator to attempted murder? Manslaughter? It all got very murky, very quickly.”
“I just felt for Chris.”
Ultimately, the bout did not go ahead and ‘The Destroyer’ has not been in a boxing ring since, whilst Eubank Jr’s career looks in tatters after a stunning stoppage loss to Liam Smith last month.
Benn is set to announce a return to action soon, however, amid reports the WBC look set to clear him to return to their rankings without serving any ban or receiving punishment.
He is currently without a license from the British Boxing Board of Control, so it remains unclear exactly where any potential comeback fight would take place.