Eddie Hearn Says There ‘No Reason’ That Conor Benn vs Chris Eubank Jr. Shouldn’t Take Place

Eddie Hearn believes Conor Benn vs. Chris Eubank Jr. should still take place on Saturday.

It was revealed that 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. Although both Benn and Eubank Jr. wanted the fight to happen, the British Boxing Board of Control ruled that they wouldn’t allow the bout to happen.

Now, according to Benn’s promoter in Eddie Hearn, he doesn’t think that the fight shouldn’t happen on Saturday.

“Look, firstly there is currently no reason – in terms of suspension or, you know, violations – that the fight should not take place,” Hearn said. “So, the Board actually don’t – you remember a situation with Billy Joe Saunders, where he actually tested positive with VADA ahead of the [Demetrius] Andrade fight [four years ago]. The Board did not suspend him because they don’t recognize VADA, but Massachusetts did [deny Saunders’ license application]. So, there’s a complicated process to go through. Eubank-Benn is the fight, ultimately. If that fight doesn’t take place nor will the show. But, you know, we have to see where we go from here, because if the Board aren’t suspending Conor Benn – and they won’t suspended Conor Benn, they don’t have the right to under their jurisdiction under with the tests that he’s been passing with UKAD – then, if they’re not allowing the fight, when do they allow the fight?

“You know, are we saying there’s a delay while you wanna have a hearing and we postpone the fight for two weeks, three weeks, four weeks? You’re not gonna suspend Conor Benn, so at some point, the fight is going to take place,” Hearn continued. “So, you know, it’s fresh at the moment. And I’m happy to come on here and give everyone as much news as I can. But at the same time, there’s a process that will be undertook.”

Although the positive test is not the best look for Conor Benn, Eddie Hearn says the fight will happen eventually so he hopes it can happen on Saturday.

“I mean, look, it’s obviously a very difficult situation for [Benn],” Hearn said. “Obviously, we’ve seen previously people make their mind up before any news or information or evidence comes out. So, it’s a very difficult time for [Benn]. He’ll be in here, you know, going through the process. And it’s a difficult time for everyone. Chris Eubank. You know, I don’t think anyone’s gonna feel sorry for us, but we put a lot of work into this show. And we’ll see what happens from here. But, you know, like I said, from Eubank’s side, from Conor Benn’s side, they feel the fight should progress. He’s not suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control. But ultimately, they’re the governing body. And we will have to have conversations with them through the lawyers to see where this process ends.”

As of right now, it’s uncertain if Conor Benn vs. Chris Eubank Jr. fight will happen.

Do you think Benn-Eubank Jr. should happen?