By Betsefy
Conor Benn‘s middleweight clash with Chris Eubank Jr on Saturday night is still scheduled to go ahead as planned despite producing an ‘adverse analytical finding’ from a random drugs test.
Given the history between their respective fathers, the 157lbs catchweight bout at the O2 Arena is being billed as one of the biggest ever on British shores.
However, the fight was thrown into considerable doubt on Wednesday when it was revealed that Benn had tested positive for a substance which is on the banned WADA list.
The 26-year-old is said to have produced “trace amounts” of clomifene, which is usually used to treat infertility in women but can increase testosterone in men.
As it stands, however, the showdown in London will proceed as planned with Eubank Jr still wishing to proceed with the bout and Benn passing other tests conducted by British governing bodies.
© Reuters
A joint statement from promoters Matchroom Sport and Wasserman Boxing read: “We have been made aware that a random anti-doping test for Conor Benn conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association returned an adverse analytical finding for trace amounts of a fertility drug.
“Mr Benn has since passed a doping control test conducted by the UK Anti-Doping Agency, the anti-doping authority to which the British Board of Boxing 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.”
Benn is stepping up from 147lbs to 157lbs to meet Eubank, who is dropping three pounds from his last fight and has previously competed at 168lbs.
