Possible Sanctions Imposed Against Conor Benn after Postponement

Although the fight, scheduled for last Saturday, October 8, between Brits Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn was officially postponed, it is still possible that the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) may apply sanctions to Benn for the positive test findings of a prohibited substance.

According to information provided by DAZN, which would be in charge of broadcasting the fight, Matchroom Boxing and Wasserman Boxing, responsible for organizing the fight, accepted the postponement, reluctantly complying with the ruling of the boxing authorities in Great Britain.

“After discussions with various parties, we have taken the decision to formally postpone the bout between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn, “reads the bilateral statement from Matchroom Boxing and Wasserman Boxing. ‘It is undeniable that the British Boxing Board of Control’s decision to withdraw their sanctioning was procedurally flawed and without due process.”

The promoters continued, “That remains a legal issue between the promoters and the Board which we intend to pursue. However, whilst there are legal routes to facilitate the fight taking place as planned, we do not believe that it is in the fighters’ interests for those to be pursued at such a late stage, or in the wider interests of the sport.

“As promoters, we take our obligations and duties very seriously, and a full investigation will now need to take place. We will be making no further comment at this time and news for ticket holder refunds will follow.”

The news exploded a few days prior to the fight, when the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) issued a statement, revealing that Conor “The Destroyer” Benn (21-0-0, 14 KOs) showed traces of clomiphene, a banned substance which is commonly used to treat infertility in women, but can also increase testosterone levels in men.

Multiple studies show that testosterone plays a fundamental role in tissue restoration, by transporting oxygen and nutrients to the site of injury, thus helping in the recovery process. It also increases muscle mass, improves control over fatigue and maintains bone consistency, among other functions.

Consequently, the BBBofC banned the fight, although almost immediately Benn passed a subsequent test conducted by the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD).

Despite the strong statement from UK boxing authorities, several sources said at the time that the fight “is almost certain” to take place on Saturday, while others said it was just an optimistic viewpoint from British promoter Eddie Hearn, top manager of the Matchroom Boxing, which guides Benn’s promotional destinations.

Hearn assured that logic indicated the BBBofC should authorize the match, since Benn’s positive (in August) was discovered by VADA, which is not delegated by the British Boxing Board, as the UKAD is.

According to Hearn, “Mr. Benn has since passed a doping control test conducted by the UK Anti-Doping Agency, the anti-doping authority to which the British Boxing Board of Control has delegated its doping control testing for the bout. Mr. Benn has passed all doping control tests conducted by UKAD. Both fighters have taken medical and legal advice, are aware of all relevant information, and wish to proceed with the bout this Saturday.”

As all the tickets were sold out in just 47 minutes, Hearn was euphoric and believed that up to a million pay-per-view (PPV) could be sold, although he did not specify if this number included only the purchases in the United Kingdom or if it was a global projection.

For his part, Benn, in a defiant tone, affirmed that the fight will take place as scheduled since he did not commit any foul, nor has he been sanctioned. “I’ve not committed any violations, I’ve not been suspended, so as far as I’m concerned the fight is still going ahead,” Benn said.

THE BRITISH BOARD COULD SANCTION BENN

Other than its opening statement, which came two hours after news of Benn’s positive test was released, the British Boxing Board of Control has remained silent for much of the saga, though it has kept in touch with VADA to find out more details about the case.

Those familiar with the matter believe that the boxing authorities in Great Britain are surely investigating Benn’s positive test result in more depth, which could lead to a sanction of up to four years of activity. The common consensus is that the United Kingdom Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) is seeking as much information as possible from VADA in order to determine if Benn should be suspended for the use of Clomifene.

The situation is still ongoing and is a very complex one, especially for Benn, who is forced to either prove his innocence or, at the very least, present extenuating circumstances which would justify the positive test result.

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Article submitted by Jorge Juan Alvarez in Spanish.

Please note that any errors in translation were unintentional.