CANCELLED – Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn fight is officially off
Conor Benn left the press conference early after the news broke that his clash with Chris Eubank Jr. has now been cancelled.
Eubank Jr. and Benn were all set to meet at the O2 Arena in London this Saturday night, October 8th, until it was revealed there had been an adverse finding with Benn's latest VADA test results.
The event was officially postponed at 4:07pm on October 6, after Matchroom and Wasserman released a joint statement read more…
The British Boxing Board of Control had prohibited the fight from taking place, but all of the media committments, such as yesterday's open workout and today's press conference, were all proceeding as normal.
However, signs became clear when it was also confirmed that Conor Benn had left the presser before 2pm today. Undercard fighters, such as Galal Yafai and Felix Cash, also left the presser when they learned of the disappointing news.
Michelle Phelps from Behind the Gloves reported earlier, at around 2pm today from the London press conference, that she doesn't feel the event is going to go ahead, "There is so much waiting around right now, the media is all up in the air, the press conference has been pushed back, to my knowledge, twice now, but we are going to be moving forward with the undercard press conference soon, so no official word, but if you want my honest opinion, it doesn't feel like the main event is happening."
ID Boxing have been providing live reports all day and have been leading with the headline that 'Eubank Jr. vs Benn is off'. They then tweeted the news officially, simply stating "FIGHT OFF", at 3:46pm today.
Timeline of Events
There was an adverse finding for clomifene on Conor Benn's most recent VADA test, taking in September, but news only broke on October 5th.
Matchroom and Wasserman release joint statement to say Benn had passed all UKAD tests so was cleared to fight still.
The BBBofC issues a statement prohibiting the fight from taking place, which they had declared on October 4th to both promotional parties, before any news of the failed VADA test had been leaked.
Kalle Sauerland said that his fighter, Chris Eubank Jr., was ok to fight still and that they were focused on the show on Saturday.
Conor Benn, himself, said he had not committed any violations, that he was not suspended, so as far as he was concerned the fight was still going ahead.
Eddie Hearn said the Board's stance was straightforward but that his lawyers were going backwards and forwards with them to push for the event to proceed.
Hearn confirmed that they would not be using any foreign commissions to sanction the fight
Benn left the October 6th presser early after hearing the fight was cancelled.
Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn officially postponed at 4:07pm on October 6.
Reactions
Dom McGuniess: "Some of the undercard fighters had booked holidays, looking forward to getting paid for their fights then relaxing abroad in the sun to recover. These undercard fighters don't have the money the headline fighters do. It's a bruising week for the sport."
Robbie Davies Jr: "As a professional boxer, I'd be gutted for the undercard, it's out of their hands, they're just all going home after been waiting around, I would be gutted. As a boxing fan, we want the fight to go ahead, but it's probaby best it gets cancelled. Just been with her [teammate Ellie Scotney] and she doesn't know if she's still making weight."
