Boxing promoter Frank Warren praises Board’s “integrity” for stopping Benn vs. Eubank Jr. after failing drug test

BOXING promoter Frank Warren has praised the British Boxing Board of Control for stepping in and banning Conor Benn’s fight with Chris Eubank Jr.

The grudge match between Benn, 26, and Eubank Jr., 33, was set for this Saturday.

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However, after Benn failed a drug test, the fight was called into question.

Traces of clomiphene, a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, were detected in his system.

Clomiphene is commonly used as a drug to treat infertility in women who are not ovulating, but it can also increase testosterone levels in men.

The BBBoC then stepped in, declaring that the scrap was prohibited under their sanction, although BOTH fighters wanted the fight to continue – a decision promoter Warren has praised.

Warren says the board showed “integrity” as the upcoming fight would not be in “boxing’s best interest”.

Joining talkSPORT Drive, Warren gave his take on the situation, saying, “What’s happening here is the two boxers are going to make a lot of money and they can see it’s not going to happen.

“You’ve been training hard. Eubank Jr. takes a calculated risk by saying “I don’t care if he took it, I think I can beat him.” There he is.

“The promoter wants it to go ahead, but that’s not in their best interest or in the best interest of boxing.

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“The board has shown some integrity here, if the fact is that it has tested positive.

“Nobody has disputed that, but the bottom line is that you signed up for VADA when you didn’t have to and were relying on the UKAD tests?

“Why spend the money to get them tested?”

Warren says if he faced a similar situation, he would have pulled the fight too.

He added: “Yes, I would [pull the fight]. If something goes drastically wrong, what will you do about it? Where are you going with this?

“In sport everyone was worried about it anyway.

“Conor is gaining weight, Chris Eubank has to push himself to get to that weight. He’s 33, he’s not a young kid.

“The big problem in boxing, when we’ve had problems, has mostly been dehydration.

“God forbid, if something went wrong, how do you justify it?”

Both Benn’s promoter Hearn and Eubank Jr. in Kalle Sauerland said the fight will go on.

Hearn said Benn passed tests conducted by UK Anti-Doping, meaning he doesn’t face a BBBoC suspension.

He said: “Conor Benn will not be suspended from the British Boxing Board of Control, ultimately he cannot be because he has passed all the tests from UKAD.

“But of course the British Boxing Board of Control will have a position on this, we will deal with the lawyers.”

Corresponding ESPNHearn seeks a court order to allow the fight to continue.

The 157-pound catchweight bout was set to come almost 30 years after their fathers’ famous rematch, which ended in a tie.

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🥊Eubank Jr. vs. Benn: Ringwalk Time, Live Stream, TV Channel & Undercard Info for London Superfight