The British Boxing Board of Control says it will not sanction Saturday's grudge showdown between Conor Benn vs Chris Eubank Jr.
The rivals are due to meet at the O2 Arena in London but the fight was plunged into doubt on Wednesday when it emerged Benn failed a drug test.
Both promoters insist the bout will take place but the BBBoC claims it told the promoters yesterday that they would not sanction the fight, reports the Mirror.
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A Board statement read: "On the evening of 4th October 2022, the Board of the British Boxing Board of Control Limited resolved that the contest between Chris Eubank Jnr. and Conor Benn scheduled to take place on October 8, 2022 is prohibited as it is not in the interests of Boxing."
Benn was regarded as the big underdog heading into the 157lbs catchweight contest.
The London bout was thrown into doubt following reports of Benn’s drug test which took place in August. The 26-year-old tested positive for clomifene, a substance found in medication used to treat infertile women but which can also boost testosterone.
Earlier on Wednesday, Matchroom said in a statement: “We have been made aware that a random anti-doping test for Conor Benn conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association returned an adverse analytical finding for trace amounts of a fertility drug.
"The B sample has yet to be tested, meaning that no rule violation has been confirmed. Indeed, Mr Benn has not been charged with any rule violation, he is not suspended, and he remains free to fight. Mr Benn has since passed a doping control test conducted by the UK Anti-Doping Agency, the anti-doping authority to which the British Board of Boxing Control has delegated its doping control testing for the bout. Mr Benn has passed all doping control tests conducted by UKAD.
“Both fighters have taken medical and legal advice, are aware of all relevant information, and wish to proceed with the bout this Saturday.”
Meanwhile, Eubank Jr's promoter Kalle Sauerland confirmed the fight will go ahead when he told talkSPORT: "The summary of what we’ve received is that there was this trace finding, but the key for me here is the UKAD findings and the medical advice, which is probably the most important thing here, because we’re talking about a physical combat sport, so that for me is the be all and end all.
"The first thing you think when you hear ‘positive doping test’ is that the fight’s off, then you have to look into what it is… It’s very clear there’s been a big mistake here from the other side, but ultimately has it been done as a PED? No. That’s what the medical opinions are. The fight on Saturday is on.”
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