Eddie Hearn has explained why he doesn’t believe Conor should have been removed from the WBC rankings.
Earlier this month Matchroom had requested to have Conor Benn reinstated in the world rankings in relation to the ongoing scenario regarding Benn’s failed drugs test which caused his fight with Chris Eubank Jr to be postponed. The WBC went on to deny this request.
Hearn spoke to iFL TV about why he feels Benn shouldn’t have been removed.
“I just feel that you shouldn’t really be removed from the ranking until you’ve had a trial or a hearing, but I get it.
As they said in the [WBC Convention] ‘We’ve removed him from the ranking for now subject to the hearing.’ I’m not involved with that hearing.
As I understand it, it’s now underway, so Conor Benn’s case will be heard and then they can make their decision.”
Hearn has defended Benn and claimed his innocence since the situation began, blaming the failed test on contamination.
Benn was due to fight Eubank Jr in a generational matchup at the O2 Arena on 8th October but news broke during fight week that Benn had tested positive for clomifene in August.
Benn later admitted that he had failed another test in July. Benn has since relinquished his license to box under the British Boxing Board of Control. Once the hearing has taken place his verdict will be given, ultimately pending on whether Benn can prove the cause of the substance being in his system.
Eubank Jr has seemingly moved on from the fight for now and is set for a massive domestic showdown with Liam Smith. The fight is set for early next year and the winner will be looking to move on to a title challenge against Gennady Golovkin.