As one of British boxing’s rising stars works to clear his name from doping allegations, a young fighter from across the pond has had his say on the situation.
The biggest fight of Conor Benn’s life was pulled just two days before he was due to enter the ring. The family-feud bout with Chris Eubank Jr was prohibited by the British Boxing Board of Control after revelations that Benn had been found to have a banned substance in his system by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA).
Whilst Benn and his team claim innocence and vow to get to the bottom of the ‘adverse finding’, fans are fighters are giving their views. Like Benn, Ryan Garcia is undefeated and rising the ranks of his division towards world titles. The American was watching it all unfold, and took to Twitter to condemn ‘cheaters’ and what was happening in the UK – although he didn’t mention Benn by name, it can be assumed it’s who he was referring to given the context.
“No mercy on cheating in sports. If you cheat you’re weak!!!! Even if you ended up still competing and did win, how can you be happy with that and proud. Disgrace. Unbelievable what’s going on in the UK.”
No mercy on cheating in sports.
If you cheat you’re weak!!!! Even if you ended up still competing and did win, how can you be happy with that and proud. Disgrace. Unbelievable what’s going on in the UK.
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) October 7, 2022
He then replied to a fan who had suggested it wasn’t just a problem in Great Britain.
“You’re crazy if you think I’m only talking about UK, it’s a current subject in the UK, stop trying to paint a picture.”
You’re crazy if you think im only talking about UK, it’s a current subject in the UK, stop trying to paint a picture
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) October 7, 2022
The boxing world eagerly awaits news, information, or an explanation from Benn’s camp. They say that their legal advisors to ‘understand the meaning of the adverse finding’ – although it’s worth noting that the results of the test are widely reported to have been delivered on September 23rd, which means there has already been some time to investigate.
There will undoubtedly be more to follow on this as fighters and pundits make their feelings known, as well as when – or rather if – the fight between Benn and Eubank Jr will be rescheduled.