Conor Benn Tests Positive For Clomifene Just Days Before Chris Eubank Jr. Fight

Conor Benn has tested positive for Clomifene just days before his scheduled fight against Chris Eubank Jr. on Saturday.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Benn produced an adverse finding for clomifene, a substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency banned list, which is normally used to treat infertility in women. The report also adds that Eubank Jr. still wants the fight to go on but it won’t be up to him.

“We took medical advice,” Kalle Sauerland, Eubank’s promoter told TalkSport. “It can raise testosterone levels but the experts we consulted couldn’t see that it was giving an advantage. So on the basis of that we discussed straight away with the most important person on our side, who is the athlete. He was happy to continue.  We spoked to Benn as well directly, there was a direct discussion between the two. I am not privileged to that discussion but they had a personal discussion on it.” 

The drug test was issued by VADA (Voluntarily Anti-Doping Agency) and it is still being investigated. However, all fight week activities including Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. will continue.

“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,” Matchroom Boxing said in a press statement. “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.”

Conor Benn is 21-0 and coming off a TKO win over Chris van Heerden and before that, knocked out Chris Algieri. Chris Eubank Jr., meanwhile, is 32-2 and is riding a six-fight winning streak and coming off a decision win over Liam Williams.

What do you make of Conor Benn failing a drug test?