By Jack Tiernan: The Luxembourg Boxing Federation may be the organization that sanctions the Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn fight this Saturday following the BBBoF choosing to prohibit the contest due to Conor’s positive test for a banned substance with VADA.
In 2012, the Luxembourg Boxing Federation sanctioned the David Haye vs. Derek Chisora fight. Promoter Eddie Hearn says Benn’s B-sample won’t be revealed by the time of the fight this Saturday.
It’s unclear why it’s taken so long for the B-sample to be opened, given that Benn’s test took place last August.
There will be a lot of boxing fans upset, given that they now view Benn as being dirty and potentially still being allowed to fight.
“Conor Benn will be making his own statement,” said Eddie Hearn to iFL TV when asked why Conor Benn tested positive for a banned substance.
“As you can imagine in previous situations where people have been found to be not guilty, he wants to go through this process himself. He wants to speak to the media.
“This substance is not listed as a performance-enhancing drug, certainly not within the levels that were found in him. The British Boxing Board of Control have not suspended Conor Benn. They actually cannot.
“Is it a delay to the fight? Is the fight taking place? Ultimately, there will be no suspension of Conor Benn because he’s passed all UKAD tests for this, which is the governing body the Board uses to make their decision,” said Hearn.
Eddie doesn’t say why Benn failed VADA’s tests and yet passed UKAD’s tests. Is there a difference in how the two drug testing agencies test? Is one better than the other?
“He’s cleared to fight right now, but the Board obviously has to be comfortable. That’s not going to happen before the fight,” said Hearn when asked if he’s waiting for the B-sample for Benn to be revealed.
“Ultimately, the Board and the lawyers will talk, and it’ll come down to a decision to see what the process is, what the options are. Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr have had all the medical advice across the samples and all the information.
“They want to fight, but ultimately everyone has to be comfortable with that. I respect the British Boxing Board of Control. I think they do a fantastic job.
One avenue explored to allow Conor Benn-Chris Eubank Jr. to proceed, sources tell ESPN, is the Luxembourg Boxing Federation. It sanctioned the 2012 Haye-Chisora fight in London after BBBoC prohibited bout due to physical altercation. BBBoC prohibited after positive Benn test
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) October 5, 2022