Eddie Hearn has presented a quiet confidence as boxing fans await news on Conor Benn’s immediate future in the sport.
The young welterweight was revealed to have failed two doping tests in the lead up to his fight with Chris Eubank Jr. The fight was ultimately postponed, but that quickly became the least of Benn’s worries.
With no British license, ongoing investigations, and many fans already turning their back on him despite not yet hearing his case, Benn now faces a ban from boxing should he be unable to prove his innocence in the matter.
It has been reported this week that the WBC’s investigation into him will conclude this month, and Eddie Hearn – who has stuck by his fighter ever since the news broke – told iD Boxing that he believes the results will be surprising to many.
“That hearing now, as you’ve heard from Mauricio [Sulaiman] is deep in. And I heard an interview saying end of this month we’ll have a result, and I can’t wait, because I think a lot of people are going to be surprised by what’s about to come out for Conor Benn.”
“I think he’s going to be fighting sooner than you think. If he does receive a ban, which, from the information we have I don’t necessarily think is fair, but if it is I don’t think it’s going to be a long ban at all. Because, again, I don’t want to be too cocksure but I think it’s going to be interesting, particularly around many things about what comes out here.”
Hearn and Benn’s team are unable to say more due to the ongoing case and legal implications, however it seems that what they do know is significant.
Whether or not that information will convince a panel, and, perhaps more importantly, fans of the sport, remains to be seen – but the wait seems to be almost over.