Conor Benn Fails Drug Test Before Fighting Chris Eubank Jr

Conor Benno failed a drug test, causing Saturday’s blockbuster fight with Chris Eubank Jr in disarray.

Sports post can exclusively reveal that the 26-year-old was notified that he had returned an adverse finding for the banned substance clomiphene.

The substance, which is commonly used to treat infertility in women but can increase testosterone in men, has been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Obviously, Benn’s test was conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.

However, it appears that Benn’s predicament will NOT cause a cancellation of this weekend’s blockbuster with Eubank Jr, which falls nearly 30 years after the second of two iconic battles between their fathers, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank.

Eubank Jr still wants the fight to go on. A statement from promoters Wasserman Boxing and Eddie Hearn’s matchroom, in response to: Sportsmails exclusively this morning, read: “Both fighters have sought medical and legal advice, are aware of all pertinent information and are looking to continue the fight next Saturday.”

The positive test does not automatically lead to a ban. The British Board of Boxing Control has designated the British Anti-Doping Agency as the anti-doping authority for this fight and Benn has not tested positive with them.

The highly anticipated fight at London’s O2 Arena is believed to be worth a six-figure fee for each fighter.

Conor Benn (pictured this week with wife Victoria) is due to fight Chris Eubank Jr this Saturday, but has failed a drug test

Benn's fight at the O2 is the biggest of his career so far

Conor Benn, who has to fight Chris Eubank Jr on Saturday, has failed a drug test

Benn and his boxer dad Nigel are pictured this weekend for the 26-year fight

Benn and his boxer dad Nigel are pictured this weekend for the 26-year fight

WHAT IS CLOMIFENE?

Clomiphene is a powerful female fertility drug that doubles as a performance enhancer.

It stimulates egg production in women, giving women who are having trouble conceiving the best chance of conceiving.

Still, studies suggest that when given to men as a daily pill, clomiphene triggers the production of testosterone.

Testosterone plays a key role in tissue healing, transporting oxygen and nutrients to the site of injury, aiding recovery. However, it also makes it easier to build muscle and provides a physical boost, which is why it is a banned substance in the athletic world.

In January, Benn, a welterweight on a blazing fast track thanks to his perfect 21-0 record, was briefly removed from the WBC world rankings for failing to enroll in their clean athlete program.

At the time, he said in a statement: “The World Boxing Council (WBC) has temporarily removed me from their January rankings and asked to remain ranked under the WBC governing body, I must officially enroll in the WBC Clean Boxing Program supported by VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association).

“I can confirm that I have instructed my team that I am now enrolling. I wanted to personally raise this with the boxing community and my fans.

“It’s important to me as a professional athlete to enroll in a clean testing program and play my role in keeping our sport safe, along with having my name listed in the top five of all governing bodies.”

Benn is currently fifth with the WBC and in the top five with the other three major sanctioning bodies.

Clomiphene is on the banned lists of both WADA and VADA under ‘hormone and metabolism modulators’.

Wasserman and Matchroom’s joint statement today reads: “We have been notified that a randomized anti-doping test for Conor Benn conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association produced an adverse analytical finding for trace amounts of a fertility drug.

“The B sample has yet to be tested, which means no rule violation has been identified. Indeed, Mr Benn has not been charged with any rule violation, he has not been suspended and he remains free to fight.

Mr Benn has since passed a doping control test conducted by the British Anti-Doping Agency, the anti-doping authority to which the British Board of Boxing Control has delegated its pre-match doping control tests. Mr Benn has passed all UKAD doping controls.”

The British Boxing Board of Control, which oversees the fight, has been approached for comment.

Benn moves up nearly two weight divisions for Saturday’s fight against his bigger rival Eubank Jr.

Benn faces Eubank Jr (left) in Saturday night's big fight at London's O2 Arena

Benn faces Eubank Jr (left) in Saturday night’s big fight at London’s O2 Arena

Saturday's fight would fall nearly 30 years after the second of two iconic battles between their fathers, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank (pictured)

Saturday’s fight would fall nearly 30 years after the second of two iconic battles between their fathers, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank (pictured)

Eubank is a 160lb career middleweight while Benn usually fights at 147lbs. Saturday’s fight is set at 157 pounds.

Last month Benn said, “I eat a lot. There are plenty of things you can eat. I don’t eat much meat, I’m not a big fan, but on Saturdays I eat steak.

“I can eat whatever I want, as long as it’s healthy and clean.”

Saturday’s fight will be live on streaming service DAZN, with non-subscribers paying £27.98 to watch. Subscribers from £7.99 per month pay an extra £19.99 to watch.

In an interview with The Telegraph this week, Eubank Jr said: ‘As fighters we take risks, we gamble and I don’t believe Conor will be able to take me into deep waters.

Benn pictured in the build-up of the fight, which will see him move up two weight classes

Benn is pictured building up the fight, which will see him move up two weight classes

Wasserman Boxing and Matchroom issued a joint statement following the exclusive .  from Sportsmail

Wasserman Boxing and Matchroom issued a joint statement following the exclusive . from Sportsmail

“Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t feel like he’ll be able to, so I’ve agreed to this weight.”

Undefeated Albanian boxer Florian Marku has vowed to fight Eubank Jr in London afterwards Benn‘s positive test, if their showdown were called off.

Marku tweeted: ‘Conor fails drug test? I am not impressed. If Chris Eubank Jr wants it, I’m ready.”