Chris Eubank Jr looks to avenge his loss to Liam Smith this weekend in Manchester, and has bragged pre-fight about being a clean athlete after a UK Anti-Doping Agency test.
Eubank’s social media post was likely inspired by the events of last year, when his fight with Conor Benn was pulled at the very last minute due to the latter’s failed Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency tests.
The Brighton man has become an outspoken advocate for a clean sport in the time since.
Another drugs test this morning. All these fighters failing tests recently making boxing look bad but don’t worry, there’s still clean athletes representing the sport we love #SmithEubank2pic.twitter.com/pZspQldbT7
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) August 31, 2023
Smith’s trainer, Joe McInally, took issue with Eubank showing his urine test, and told ESBR that there was nothing to brag about with UKAD – the agency used by the British Boxing Board of Control for all licensed fights.
“I ain’t seen no VADA for this one. VADA hasn’t walked in my gym testing Liam Smith once. So what’s he bragging about getting tested of UKAD for? UKAD’s testing is a load of s**e.”
Speaking to Boxing King Media, Eubank’s promoter, Kalle Sauerland, appeared to confirm that VADA was not in play for this event.
“There’s testing. They’re both British Board so both UKAD tested. VADA’s an extra layer you can take for international fights or for domestic fights if you want. You’ve seen now it all comes back to UKAD anyway. It’s a question of either you respect UKAD or you don’t.”
Finally, promoter Ben Shalom, who has been extremely outspoken on the state of doping in the sport, told IFL TV that the matter was confidential, but was adamant that suitable testing was in place.
“First of all, I think that the drug testing is confidential. What I will say is there’s so many different organisations doing drug testing and there’s so many jurisdiction issues and there’s so many problems. What I can confirm is both fighters have been tested, will be tested, are continuing to be tested. And this is between two guys that are exemplary athletes in the sport.”
The matter of confidentiality referred to is unclear. Eubank has already spoken on UKAD’s involvement, and VADA make a point as an organisation to publicly welcome fighters to its programme.
As the WBC’s number four ranked middleweight contender, Eubank will be enrolled in the sanctioning body’s Clean Boxing Programme which employs VADA.
BOXXER have previously used VADA’s services, most notably for the domestic dust-up between Kell Brook and Amir Khan. The latter would go on to test positive post-fight.
There is nothing on the organisation’s website to suggest the first fight between Smith and Eubank used VADA – the doping agency many consider to be ‘the gold standard’ in boxing.