Chris Eubank Jr has denied he had spoke to Conor Benn this morning after it emerged one of his drug tests had resulted in an adverse finding.
The pair were set to revive their families' decades-long rivalry on Saturday night at The O2 arena in a huge pay-per-view clash, but the fight hangs in the balance. Benn tested positive for trace amounts of clomifene, which is a female fertility drug which can also boost testosterone levels in men, but has since passed UKAD tests.
And Benn claimed he and Eubank Jr discussed the test, although his rival claims that they have not spoken since it was confirmed. There could be a miscommunication given that the test took place at the end of August, and the results have reportedly been known to promoters for a longer period of time than just the last few hours.
"I've spoken to Chris personally and we both want the fight to go ahead," Benn said after his open workout today. Asked if he reached out to Eubank Jr today, Benn added: "He fully believes, he believes in me. It's not who I am, it's not what I am; I'm a professional athlete and he was understanding. We both want the fight to go ahead and as far as I'm concerned it is going ahead."
However, Eubank Jr claims the pair haven't spoken since it was announced that he had tested positive, insisting: "We haven't spoken since this was announced. My promoter, his promoter, the British Boxing Board of Control are going to sort it out. I'm ready, I'm clean, I'm 60 per cent. I've been tested all my career and I've been tested more for this fight than ever before.
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"I have an app to designate where I'm going to be every single day and they can come and test me unannounced whenever I see fit. I've never failed a test; I've even been tested on holiday. I don't know what's gone on, I've heard the news like you guys have heard the news. All I can do is be a pro and make sure I'm ready to fight. I'm ready and as news unfolds we will deal with it.
"I've prepared, I've done my job, it's now in the hands of the promoter and the governing bodies to make this fight happen; all I can do is be ready. There are concerns but, I can't really say too much. I'm ready, I'm a clean fighter, I've prepared, I've cut the weight and I'm ready to go."
The British Boxing Board of Control have banned the fight from taking place, but both Matchroom Boxing and Wasserman have insisted they will be pushing to make sure it goes ahead after taking legal advice.
