Conor Benn has mocked bitter rival Chris Eubank Jr for being brutally knocked out by Liam Smith.
In a shocking upset, Eubank Jr suffered the first knockout loss of his career at the hands of Smith in Manchester's AO Arena on Saturday night. The fight was fairly even after the opening three rounds but Smith landed a big flurry in the fourth stanza that backed Eubank Jr into a corner, with an uppercut followed by a left hook sending him down.
Eubank Jr showed great heart to beat the count despite being on wobbly legs, but referee Victor Loughlin gave him every chance to recover and get back into the fight. Smith was relentless in seeking the finish and dropped his rival just moments later, with the fight rightfully being waved off as Eubank Jr didn't know where he was.
Benn was scheduled to fight Eubank Jr last October but the fight was cancelled after Benn failed two pre-fight drug tests. The son-of-a-legend posted a video of himself reacting to the fight alongside his dad Nigel in which he could be heard saying: "What you saying dad? Wouldn't have gone past two would it?"
Benn then posted a tweet to Eubank Jr that read: "It's a good job you didn't fight me, you'd last two rounds at 160[lb]."
'The Destroyer' is yet to be exonerated by the British Boxing Board of Control, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) or the World Boxing Council (WBC) for his positive drug tests. Benn has maintained his innocence since the fight was cancelled, insisting that he wouldn't bother spending money on trying to clear his name if he willingly took a banned substance.
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"I've never taken a PED (performance-enhancing drug) in my life and never would. There is a reason the WBC hasn't banned me, think I'm spending thousands on legal and scientist fees for s***s and giggles? Was an easy way out in lying.
"I will never raise my hands to something I've never done, good or bad. Would have saved me a fortune. The truth is what I was after, the truth is what I got," he wrote.
Benn tested positive for the banned substance clomiphene, a women's fertility drug that increases testosterone levels in males. The 26-year-old was looking to jump up 10lb to meet Eubank Jr at a catchweight of 157lb but the fight between the sons-of-legends was called off, meaning they both missed out on huge paydays. Benn is technically still able to fight as the WBC haven't banned him and Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn has already been discussing options for the Brit's return to the ring this year.
