Chris Eubank Jr has mocked Conor Benn for failing a drug test by posting a picture of himself seemingly giving a urine sample after their fight was called off.
Benn and Eubank Jr were due to renew their fathers legendary feud in a 157lb catchweight fight at The O2 arena tomorrow night, but the grudge match was called off after Benn tested positive for the banned substance clomifene, a drug that is usually prescribed to treat infertility in women but can also boost testosterone production in men. Benn did pass UKAD drug tests after being flagged by VADA for the substance, but the British Boxing Board of Control refused to sanction the fight and it was subsequently cancelled.
Eubank Jr insisted Benn had "escaped a schooling for now", potentially hinting the pair will still meet in a rescheduled clash despite the drug test controversy. In an attempt to goad his rival after the fight was cancelled, Eubank Jr posted a picture of UKAD paying him a visit with the caption: "Just got back to my hotel room to be greeted by another random drugs test… which as always I’m happy to take. 10 years and never failed one."
Benn, who is not officially suspended by the BBBofC, maintained his innocence after being flagged for the banned substance. " I have not committed any violations and I've not been suspended. I have signed up to every test under the sun, all my UKAD tests have come back negative throughout my career and even in the lead-up to this fight my tests have come up negative," he said.
Eubank Jr claimed he would only be fighting Benn at around 60 per cent of his potential after being forced to weigh-in at a career-low weight, with a rehydration clause also being in effect for the now-scratched fight. In another effort to mock Benn, he posted a picture of himself eating a cake with "61 per cent" wrote above it. Although Eubank Jr and Benn are touted to meet in a rescheduled clash, bookies currently have Callum Smith as the favourite to fight the former two-time super-middleweight champion next.
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Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn tried hard to keep the fight alive, but was overpowered by the BBBofC and the promoter has since issued a fiery statement aimed at the governing body. "It is undeniable that the British Boxing Board of Control's decision to withdraw their sanctioning was procedurally flawed and without due process. That remains a legal issue between the promoters and the Board which we intend to pursue," the statement read.
