Ebanie Bridges has been criticised by fans for stating it would be "devastating" for all parties if Conor Benn 's fight with Chris Eubank Jr was cancelled.
Eubank Jr and Benn were set to renew their fathers' legendary rivalry at this Saturday at The O2 arena in London, but the fight is in jeopardy after Benn failed a VADA drug test for the banned substance clomifene in August. The British Boxing Board of Control has refused to sanction the fight after Benn's test failure - sparking a bitter legal battle.
Bantamweight world titleholder Bridges gave her thoughts on whether the fight should still take place or not as she tweeted: "So many people will be out of pocket including the fighters their teams and sponsors etc, if the fight doesn't go ahead it's devastating. So if Eubank is happy for the fight to go ahead knowing there was adverse findings then it's his 'risk' and decision. In my opinion, it's his choice."
Do you think the fight between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr should be cancelled? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below
Fans have since slammed Bridges, who like Benn is managed by Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing, for her stance on the fight as one user wrote: "Oh dear, another Matchroom money puppet selling their morales. Boxers either want this sport clean or they don’t, lining up behind your mates when they’ve popped for a substance used as a PCT [post-cycle therapy] for steroids is not a good look for anyone in the sport."
A second user replied: "I was a huge Benn fan but now…You’re close to him though so it must be hard but, there’s a right and wrong way to deal with this now. You can’t support the fight taking place, surely?" with a third adding: "Pretty amazing that all boxers are not coming out and deploring the idea of the fight going ahead. Why are you all in denial about a dirty fighter? These meds are used to disguise a steroid cycle and you are all immediately poo-pooing it?!"
Both Benn and Eubank Jr have insisted they want the fight to go ahead, but a final user said Benn should be handed a lifetime ban after testing positive for the banned substance. "This is just b******s talk! Benn tested positive for drugs end of story! This is a sport and the fighter should have no say on the matter or the promoters! There should be absolutely zero tolerance for this crap! It should be a life time ban and no fight should go ahead," they wrote.
