The highly-anticipated bout between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn, initially scheduled to take place this weekend, is currently off – but the story isn’t over yet.
Sportsmail broke the bombshell news that Benn had tested positive for banned substance clomifene – a fertility drug – on Wednesday morning, a finding that immediately plunged the clash into doubt.
Both parties swiftly announced their intention to continue with the O2 Arena fight, but those plans were brought to a steady halt as the British Boxing Board of Control announced that the bout is prohibited from taking place.
This weekend’s fight between Conor Benn (right) and Chris Eubank Jr (left) has been called off
The board stated: ‘On the evening of October 4, 2022, the Board of the British Boxing Board of Control Limited resolved that the contest between Chris Eubank Jnr. and Conor Benn scheduled to take place on October 8, 2022 is prohibited as it is not in the interests of Boxing.’
However, as history has shown, that doesn’t necessarily mean the fight won’t be able to take place – and on British soil – even if promoters Eddie Hearn of Matchroom and Kalle Sauerland of Wasserman are unable to reach an agreement with the board, as they are currently attempting to do.
Heavyweights David Haye and Derek Chisora were able to share the squared circle at West Ham’s former ground, Upton Park, back in 2012 – despite neither fighter holding a British licence at the time.
The epic grudge-match, which saw Haye claim a decisive fifth-round stoppage victory, followed their stunning brawl almost exactly a year prior, as the British pair clashed at the post-fight press conference following the Haymaker’s defeat to Wladimir Klitschko.
But how was the fight able to take place?
The bout was officially given the green light after the Luxembourg Boxing Federation sanctioned it. They did so despite facing threats of expulsion from the European Boxing Union.
The promoter of the fight, Frank Warren, then explained just why the sanction was valid.
‘Before anyone starts screaming, let me point out the Luxembourg boxing association was formed in 1922 – seven years before the British Board,’ he said.
‘They have given their approval for the bout and it will go on at Upton Park under their jurisdiction.
‘As fully fledged members of the European Boxing Union, that is what they are entitled to do.’
The 2012 fight between David Haye (right) and Derek Chisora (left) went ahead, despite neither fighter holding a British licence
Promoter Frank Warren (left) ensured the fight was sanctioned by the Luxembourg Boxing Federation
Of course, the bout took place under different circumstances, with neither testing positive for a banned substance.
Instead, Chisora had his British licence withdrawn partly due to his brawl with Haye, alongside slapping Vitali Klitschko at their 2012 weigh-in, and also spitting water at the Ukrainian’s brother, Wladimir.
Haye, on the other hand, was no longer in possession of a licence having officially retired the previous year.
There are many now who believe Hearn and Sauerland could look to go down a similar route and obtain a licence from another country.
Meanwhile, Matchroom promoter Hearn, speaking during Wednesday’s public workout, was furious with the decision that has been made.
Hearn stated that lawyers are in the process of discussing the situation with the BBBoC in an effort to resolve the complications.
‘We have to see where we go from here because if the board aren’t suspending Conor Benn – and they won’t suspend Conor Benn because they don’t have the right to under their jurisdiction after the tests that he’s been passing with UKAD – then if they’re not allowing the fight, when do they allow the fight?’ he said.
‘You know, are you saying there’s a delay while you wanna have a hearing. We postpone the fight for two weeks, three weeks, four weeks? You’re not going to suspend Conor Benn, so at some point the fight will take place.
‘It’s fresh at the moment and I’m happy to come on here to give people as much news as I can, but at the same time there is a process that is going to be undertaken.’
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