Chris Eubank Jr has spoken in further detail about Conor Benn’s adverse test result ahead of their scheduled clash on Saturday night, insisting that he’s ready to proceed but that ‘things need to be right’.
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 via the Voluntary 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 announcement there has still not been an official cancellation of the bout – instead we’ve seen an effort on the part of the promoters for the fight to go ahead.
Speaking to IFL TV after the open workouts for the fight, Eubank reiterated his desire for the fight to go ahead but did admit that the events have cast a shadow over the occasion.
“It’s a shame. It’s a shame that we something now that kind of muddies the story if anything. It’s a shame.
I still want to fight – but things have to be right. I’ve done everything that has been asked of me – I’m on weight, I’ve trained, I’ve promoted the fight and most importantly I’ve stayed clean, not just for this fight but through my entire career.
No positive tests for me, never will be, I’m a professional when it comes to that aspect of the sport, which is probably the most important aspect that there is. It is, it is the most important.
I do my job, I am responsible, I am professional, even if Conor likes to say I’m unprofessional.
I want to fight absolutely – but things do have to be right, I’m not going to go into further detail about that. What he’s done is being investigated and things have to be right.
I’m on weight I did my job!”
It’s understood that lawyers are now in discussions with the BBBofC about the status of the fight – with both sets of promoters and fighters still hopeful a resolution can be found before Saturday night.