The inevitable was confirmed yesterday as the plug was pulled on Eubank Jr-Benn after a drug test revealed an "adverse analytical finding for trace amounts of a fertility drug". It's a massive pity for all of us who were looking forward to the guaranteed spectacle of the fight. It's another black eye for boxing, as the frenzied efforts to make the fight happen in spite of a prohibition order from the BBBC suggested again that pro boxing exists in a bizarre alternate reality to other sport.
At this point, we can only refer to the words of British boxer Conor Benn, who eloquently opined on the sheer stupidity of failing a drug test before a career-defining fight back in 2019, after Jerrell Miller had his bout against Anthony Joshua pulled because of a positive drugs test.
Eubank was kind enough to share the clip with his Twitter followers last night
I mean I really just don’t have any words at this point #EubankJrBenn pic.twitter.com/vzEFXJR3AS
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) October 6, 2022
"I just heard it when I got to the gym this morning - I can't believe it."
"The biggest fight of your life, the biggest fight of your career and you get tested positive for a banned substance. It baffles me.
'I'm not even at world level and my nutritionist has a go at me for taking Vitamin C tablets if they haven't been tested."
'So, the team he's got around him should say: "Listen, check all your substances! You're earning a few good quid here, and why put that at risk?"'
It's the comment about vitamin C tablets that especially resonate. The question isn't even about whether Benn is clean - it's about the rigour one puts themselves through in the build-up to such a massive fight to avoid a situation like this.
Benn contended he is a "clean athlete" in an apology on instagram last night.
Benn's trainer Tony Sims also defended his fighter in a statement.
"After 26 years in boxing, a sport I love and have dedicated my life to, I can say hand on heart that I have never experienced or witnessed any athlete in my camp fail an anti-doping test, voluntary or mandatory and I stand proud by that fact. Today leaves me truly devastated as we call a postponement to such an amazing event that I was honoured to say I was a part of.
Time will tell with this one. With the fight postponed, we wonder will we ever see these two men share a ring. Watch this space.
