Conor Benn Fails Drug Test, But Chris Eubank Jr Still Fights On

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Saturday night’s blockbuster fight between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benno will go ahead as planned despite Benn failing a drug test leading up to the fight.

The 26-year-old returned an unfavorable analytical finding for the substance clomiphine, a fertility drug, after a sample taken by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.

The B sample has yet to be tested and promoter Matchroom Boxing said in a statement that the fight at the O2 would still continue.

The statement read: “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 doping controls carried out by UKAD.

“Both fighters have obtained medical and legal advice, are aware of all relevant information and intend to continue the fight next Saturday.”

Eubank Jr had labeled this weekend’s dynasty fight a trilogy in the wake of his father boxing Benn’s father, Nigel, twice three decades ago. Eubank Jr had dropped to 157 pounds before the meeting – his lowest weight since age 18 – while Benn needed to gain 10 pounds to make the move from his preferred weight.

Both fighters are expected to hit a good six figure figure for their London showdown, which seemed questionable when news of Benn’s unfavorable analytical finding came out. But Matchroom was quick to allay any doubts about the fight, which is expected to be watched by 20,000 fans.