CHRIS EUBANK JR's and Conor Benn's massive clash is OFF and the situation has become a circus affair.
Eddie Hearn tried a last-minute scramble to get the fight moved to Luxembourg or Malta, but there was no way he could make it happen.
The British Boxing board of Control 'prohibited' the fight after Benn's failed drugs test but was unsuccessful.
But now the fight is now OFF, it has been confirmed and now Benn could face a four-year ban, with British anti-doping chiefs asking for evidence of his failed drugs test.
We'll be bringing you all of the latest updates as they unfold here.
- Fight officially OFF
- Benn had tested positive for drug Clomifene
- Fight was set for Saturday night
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- James Colasanti
Conor Benn fan's regrettable tattoo
Chris Eubank Jr has humorously offered to pay for the removal of a huge Conor Benn tattoo from a "broken-hearted" fan's torso.
After the fight was cancelled due to Benn's failed drug test, the fan took to Twitter to say he regretted having the ink work done.
He tweeted an image of the tattoo and commented: "I'm absolutely distraught @ConorNigel you were my hero and now I've got to walk about with this rest of my life as I can't afford laser treatment to remove it. Broken hearted."
Eubank Jr replied to the tweet and said: "Don’t worry mate I’ll pay for your tattoo removal. Just shoot over your info to my team & I’ll sort everything out for you. Email is in my bio."
- Joshua Mbu
Dad Nigel vows to sort out Conor plight
Nigel Benn is vowing to "get to the bottom" of how "clean" son Conor failed a drug test.
All parties involved are talking up a new date after boxing chiefs cancelled tonight's mega-fight against Chris Eubank Jr.
And Benn Senior says his team are in "total shock" over the situation.
He posted on instagram: "I've been with my son for the last 10 weeks and the training has just gone absolutely the best it could ever have been.
"He's a dedicated trainer, he leaves no stone unturned and we'll get to the bottom of this.
"I know he don't cut no corners, he just goes straight at it 100 per cent."
But promoter Frank Warren joined legendary Sun writer Colin Hart in attacking the whole concept of a catchweight fight between welterweight Benn and middleweight Eubank.
Warren wrote in his Daily Star column: "Without their respective surnames would a match of obvious weight discrepancies ever been considered?
"Benn tested positive for a banned substance, but they still tried to plough on with a fight despite the obvious dangers involved and ironically the fathers each being both been involved in ring tragedies previously."
- Ian Tuckey
Conor 'faces 4-year ban'
Conor Benn faces a four-year ban after British anti-doping chiefs asked for evidence of his failed drugs test.
SunSport understands UK Anti-Doping will launch a formal probe after traces of banned fertility drug clomifene – which boosts testosterone – were found in Benn’s A sample.
His failed drugs test – conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency – led to the postponement of tonight’s grudge £25million catchweight fight with Chris Eubank Jr at the O2.
Now UKAD will write to VADA to request the analysis of the 26-year-old’s adverse finding.
Only UKAD have the authority to issue a doping ban, but it is understood VADA – whose testing services typically cost around £30,000 – are prepared to hand over the necessary documentation.
The bombshell news comes after Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn threatened legal action against British boxing chiefs after they refused to sanction the fight.
- Ian Tuckey
Hearn hopes fight will go ahead in future
Promoter Eddie Hearn still wants Chris Eubank Jr to fight Conor Benn – and insists both fighters hope to set a new date.
Boxing chiefs postponed Saturday's bout over Benn's failed drug test.
And Hearn said: "Whilst we feel the board has not made certain decisions correctly during this process, we also understand the bigger picture.
"There’s been a lot of conversations with Wasserman and Chris Eubank Jr, and he wants the fight.
“I was in his room 45 minutes ago. He was three pounds overweight, ready to weigh-in tomorrow. He was going to make that weight, and he’s disappointed.
“The one thing he wants more than anything right now is to fight Conor Benn and do a job on him, but I believe we’ll see that. "
- Ian Tuckey
Nigel Benn defends 'clean' son Conor
Nigel Benn has defended son Conor for failing a doping test that blew the Chris Eubank Jr showdown.
The 26-year-old welterweight failed a VADA test in the build-up to Saturday's planned showdown, causing the bout to be axed.
The British boxing board of control refused to sanction the fight after the failed test was revealed, despite promoter Eddie Hearn trying to bulldoze the bout in through the courts.
But now Benn Sr, 58, seems to have accepted the ruling and begun planning for a rescheduled catchweight clash.
Benn, whose son tested positive for a testosterone booster, wrote: "Hi guys, as you know we're in total shock. I've been with my son for the last ten weeks and the training has absolutely gone the best it could have been.
"He's a dedicated trainer, he leaves no stone unturned and we'll get to the bottom of this, I love my son.
"I know he don't cut no corners, he just goes straight at it 100 per cent but we'll keep you informed, we'll let you know what the next step is.
"But he's a faithful trainer and a clean athlete, speak to you all soon, God bless."
- Ian Tuckey
Warren blasts 'dark week' for boxing
Frank Warren claims Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr "needed protecting from themselves" after Saturday's fight was called off in "one of boxing's darkest weeks".
The BBBC postponed the long-awaited clash due to Benn's failed drugs test.
Butpromoter Warren claims in his Daily Star column that the sport had been brought into "disrepute" by even setting up such a catchweight contest.
He wrote: "Without their respective surnames would a match of obvious weight discrepancies ever been considered?
"Benn tested positive for a banned substance, but they still tried to plough on with a fight despite the obvious dangers involved and ironically the fathers each being both been involved in ring tragedies previously.
"The board rightly made the correct decision, but it begs the question that when all parties where notified on September 23 why this dragged on without the B Sample being tested in that time?
I’ll tell you why: because science states that 99.9 per cent of the time, it will give the same result.
"Ultimately, boxing is a dangerous sport, but it is paramount that we should always maximise safety of the boxers in the ring."
- Ian Tuckey
Benn coach stands by him
Conor Benn's "devastated" coach Tony Sims says he'll keep supporting the boxer despite a failed doping test putting paid to tomorrow's mega-fight with Chris Eubank Junior.
Sims said: “Having spoken to Conor personally in length surrounding the subject and listening to him, I support him as a coach and as a friend.
“We are determined to get to the bottom of this as a team, working closely with Conor’s legal advisors in an effort to understand the meaning of the ‘adverse finding’ and resolve this matter urgently."
Sims' statement also included: “After 26 years in boxing, a sport I love and have dedicated my life to, I can say hand on heart that I have never experienced or witnessed any athlete in my camp fail an anti doping test, voluntary or mandatory and I stand by that fact.
“Today leaves me truly devastated as we call a postponement to such an amazing event that I was honoured to say I was a part of."
- Ian Tuckey
We've ducked a 'catchweight catastrophe'
Legendary sports writer and SunSport’s voice of boxing Colin Hart has had his say on the abandoned Benn v Eubank fight – and he’s relieved it is not going ahead.
Hart said: “Mercifully, Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr will not now be battling it out tomorrow.
“Boxing can heave a huge sign of relief it’s not facing the possibility of a catchweight catastrophe.
“I regard it as a blessing in disguise.
“Despite the obvious box-office appeal, I felt it had no validity and was a highly-dangerous enterprise considering the huge difference in size between the two men.
“If the weight controversy wasn’t serious enough, Conor being allowed to carry on after failing a dope test would have been a travesty.”
Read Colin Hart’s full punchy column on the incredible Benn Eubank events here.
- Kiro Evans
Can Eu Believe it?
Chris Eubank Jr has pledged to help a fan get Conor Benn tattoo removed.
The two British boxers were supposed to go head-to-head at the O2 tomorrow before the fight was postponed due to Benn failing a drug test.
A fan took to Twitter complaining that they had a tattoo of Benn but now wanted it removed but did not have the money to do so.
Eubank tweeted them: "Don't worry mate I'll pay for your tattoo removal, just shoot over your info to my team & I'll sort everything out for you."
- Kiro Evans
'Grim day for boxing' – the media reacts to Benn v Eubank
It's been a fairly extraordinary 72 hours as the boxing world comes to terms with Conor Benn v Chris Eubank Jr falling apart due to the former's failed drug test.
A "grim day for boxing" was how legendary boxing pundit Steve Bunce put it on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Meanwhile the Guardian's Donald McRae labelled the aborted fight as representative of "greed, stupidity and danger".
He added: "The shameless way in which efforts were made to sidestep the damning evidence of the Vada test, and pin the shabbiest of hopes to the fact that the board relies on Ukad results, exposed the hypocrisy at the sick old heart of this promotion and boxing itself."
The Times' Matt Dickinson, who thinks boxing should be banned as a sport, said: "Rarely has the case against boxing been made more eloquently than this week by the sport itself."
The Sun's Dave Kidd reserves his ire for boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.
He writes: "There is one man in boxing who never takes it on the chin – and that is Eddie Hearn.
"He ducks and weaves life's punches better than Floyd Mayweather Jr, this shameless man."
- Kiro Evans
Move to the Middle East
Conor Benn and Chris Eubank postponed fight could potentially take place in the Middle East, according to reports.
The highly-anticipated bout had to be scrapped after Benn failed a drug test.
Despite the best efforts of his promoter Eddie Hearn to revive the contest, he had to admit defeat yesterday.
The Times today referenced whether or not the fight could take place elsewhere, having originally been scheduled for the O2 tomorrow.
They report: "One suggestion is that [the fight] could move to the Middle East and circumvent the BBBC [British Boxing Board of Control].
"Both fighters stood to be paid £3.5million for a fight sold on the rivalry between their fathers in the 1990s.
"However, Chris Eubank Sr had already called for the fight to be called off because of the weight his son had to lose, while Benn was moving up almost two weight divisions to fight at 157lb."
- Kiro Evans
Every Cloud
Harley Benn – the brother of Conor – is the latest edition on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather's exhibition in Dubai.
Mayweather faces YouTuber Deji on November 13 at the Coca-Cola Arena on a Global Titans event.
Providing support on the undercard is Benn, son of British boxing legend Nigel, who will fight unbeaten Indian star Faizan Anwar.
The announcement comes following the news of Benn's brother Conor failing a pre-fight drug test ahead of his catchweight clash with Chris Eubank Jr.
Conor, 26, returned an adverse finding for the banned substance clomifene in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test.
- Kiro Evans
Cancellation Reaction
Lost amid the claims and counter-claims of the Benn and Eubank cancellation has been the fate of the undercard fighters.
Eight other bouts were suppose to take place at the O2 on Saturday night but they now too will not be going ahead.
Lyndon Arthur was suppose to take on Cesar Hernan Reynoso in a light heavyweight contest.
Upon hearing about the cancellation, Arthur reportedly went to the lobby bar in the Canary Wharf hotel and ordered a large brandy.
Meanwhile Britain's sole Boxing gold medalist at the Tokyo Olympics Galal Yafai had this to say:
- Kiro Evans
Ed in the Clouds
Hours before he finally gave in trying to revive Conor Benn's fight with Chris Eubank Jr, Eddie Hearn went viral on Twitter for the wrong reasons.
Boxing fans unearthed this video of the Matchroom boss speaking about boxers and failed drug tests, and it appears he took a more severe line on the issue in the past than he did when it concerned the boxer he was promoting in Benn.
- Kiro Evans
'It would have been a travesty'
Legendary sports writer and SunSport's voice of boxing Colin Hart has had his say on the abandoned Benn v Eubank fight – and he's relieved it is not going ahead.
Hart said: "Mercifully, Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr will not now be battling it out tomorrow.
"Boxing can heave a huge sign of relief it's not facing the possibility of a catchweight catastrophe.
"I regard it as a blessing in disguise.
"Despite the obvious box-office appeal, I felt it had no validity and was a highly-dangerous enterprise considering the huge difference in size between the two men.
"If the weight controversy wasn't serious enough, Conor being allowed to carry on after failing a dope test would have been a travesty."
Read Colin Hart's full punchy column on the incredible Benn Eubank events here.
- Kiro Evans
'No Words'
Chris Eubank Jr spent much of yesterday afternoon taking jabs at Conor Benn over Twitter after their fight was officially called off.
The pair were set to go head-to-head at the O2 on Saturday night in a highly-anticipated bout before Benn failed his VADA drug test.
A furious Eubank Jr last night posted this video of Conor Benn speaking to Sky Sports.
- Alex Terrell
Dave Kidd: Hearn an artist of hypocrisy and contradiction
There is one man in boxing who never takes it on the chin – and that is Eddie Hearn.
Even after his fighter, Conor Benn, failed a drug test and caused the postponement of tomorrow's scrap with Chris Eubank Jr, the promoter had the barefaced cheek to point the finger of blame at the British Boxing Board of Control.
Even by boxing's snake-belly standards, this was low.
News of Benn testing positive for Clomifene – a drug which boosts testosterone – emerged on Wednesday, swiftly followed by the BBBofC announcing their refusal to sanction the fight.
Yet it was not until after 27 hours of furious wriggling that Hearn, and Eubank Jr's promoter Kalle Sauerland, finally threw in the towel and called off the whole farce.
That came in a statement which claimed the Board of Control's actions were 'procedurally flawed and without due process'.
Hearn claimed there would be 'no further statement'. Then staged a press conference. Then refused to take any questions.
Then blamed the media for reporting what he had told them the previous day – that he would seek an injunction against the Board and approach foreign commissions to preside over the fight.
This is a sport which operates like the Wild West, but where the outlaws seem genuinely stunned when the Sheriff dares to flex his muscles.
Read the rest of Dave Kidd's brilliant column…
- Alex Terrell
Hearn points the finger
Incredibly, Hearn has blamed the BBBofC for him having to cancel the whole show, including the undercard, writes WALLY DOWNES JR.
Exclusive broadcasters DAZN will have suffered a huge financial blow.
The undercard fighters did not get as far as the Friday weigh-in, which usually triggers guaranteed payment.
But Matchroom boss Hearn will be under pressure to compensate them.
Benn failed a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) test.
But he has not been suspended as that is decided by the UK Anti-Doping body (UKAD). They have requested access to the samples.
- Alex Terrell
I will make Eu pay
Chris Eubank Jr promised Conor Benn he will punish him for wrecking their £25million fight by failing a drug test.
Benn tested positive for traces of Clomifene, which can boost testosterone, and the British Boxing Board of Control refused to sanction the showdown.
Promoter Eddie Hearn tried to overturn the BBBofC's decision but was forced to eventually cancel under mounting public pressure.
Gutted Eubank Jr, 33, who still wanted to fight Benn, said: "Conor got caught using an illegal substance so the fight is off.
"Can't believe it. He has escaped his schooling for now.
"I really apologise to the fans and everyone that bought tickets, travelled and booked hotels, this should not have happened."
- Joshua Jones
Good morning boxing fans
Chris Eubank Jr was forced to take a drugs test just hours after his fight with Conor Benn was POSTPONED due to his rival's failed doping sample.
Saturday's showdown was postponed after Benn failed a drugs test, with traces of clomifene discovered in his system.
Clomifene is commonly used as medication to treat infertility in women who do not ovulate, but it can also increase testosterone levels in men, which is why it is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
As a result, the British Boxing Board of Control pulled the plug and refused to sanction the bout.
Benn has insisted he is a "clean athlete" despite the failed drugs test.
Rival Eubank Jr has also been subject to further testing.
The 33-year-old was greeted by a random drugs test at his hotel room despite the O2 scrap being postponed.
He said on Twitter: "Just got back to my hotel room to be greeted by another random drugs test… which as always I’m happy to take.
"10 years & never failed one #CleanAthlete."
A picture of samples being collected accompanied the tweet.
Eubank Jr has also apologised to his fans who had bought tickets and spent money to travel to the event.
He tweeted: "Conor got caught using an illegal substance so the fight is off. Can’t believe it.
"I really apologise to the fans & everyone that bought tickets, travelled & booked hotels, this should not of happened.
"He has escaped his schooling… for now."
Matchroom issued the following statement: "After discussions with various parties, we have taken the decision to formally postpone the bout between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn.
"It is undeniable that the British Boxing Board of Control’s decision to withdraw their sanctioning was procedurally flawed and without due process.
"That remains a legal issue between the promoters and the Board which we intend to pursue.
"However, whilst there are legal routes to facilitate the fight taking place as planned, we do not believe that the fight is in the fighters’ interests."
- Sam Dymond
Eubank calls on Jake Paul
Chris Eubank Jr. has challenged Jake Paul to replace Conor Benn after their grudge match was axed.
The boxing showdown was thrown into doubt on Wednesday as Benn failed a drugs test and so the British Boxing Board of Control pulled the plug and refused to sanction the bout.
The boxers' promoters, including Eddie Hearn, worked desperately to get the catchweight 157lb match back on.
But a decision has been made that the bout is not going ahead after all, with SunSport understanding talks will be held to get it rearranged.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul addressed the ongoing "fiasco" on social media and took a swipe at Hearn.
The Problem Child tweeted: "I can’t wait to see all of the texts and emails between Eddie Hearn and all the parties involved in this fiasco."
Eubank caught wind of Paul's quip and offered to book him a flight to London for an impromptu match.
The British star challenged him to replace Benn after he "fumbled AND crumbled under the pressure".
Eubank tweeted: "How about I get you a jet to the U.K tomorrow & we scrap at the o2 on Saturday for the fans that are now missing out because Conor Benn fumbled AND crumbled under the pressure. You come in as heavy as you want."
Paul, who is set to fight UFC legend Anderson Silva later this month, is yet to respond to the offer.
Amid the fall out from his cancelled bout, Eubank slammed rival Benn after a late bid to rescue the fight had failed.
Next Gen also apologised to fans who had already booked tickets and made travel arrangements.
Eubank tweeted: "Conor got caught using an illegal substance so the fight is off. Can’t believe it.
"I really apologise to the fans & everyone that bought tickets, traveled & booked hotels, this should not of happened. He has escaped his schooling… for now."
Eubank also shared a clip of Benn speaking in 2019 about Jarrell Miller failing a drugs test that saw his world title fight against Anthony Joshua cancelled.
Benn said that his "nutritionist has a go at me for taking vitamin C tablets".
- Sam Dymond
Hearn: Tickets will be refunded
Eddie Hearn has apologised to fans, and assured them that tickets for Saturday night's postponed fight will be refunded at the first opportunity.
At a brief press conference this afternoon, the promoter said: "Tickets will be available for customers to refund immediately from the O2 Arena or point of purchase.
"We will be back in touch with the media and public soon in terms of a new schedule date for this fight.
'We apologise that we weren't able to bring you this great fight on DAZN but I hope you feel that the correct action has been taken."
- Sam Dymond
Benn: I'm shocked and surprised
Conor Benn has released a short statement via social media admitting he is 'shocked and surprised' by findings showing that he had tested traces of a prohibited substance.
While confirming his priority is proving he is a clean fighter, Benn also said that he and his team were considering all options including the possible rescheduling of a bout with Chris Eubank Jr.
The 26-year-old also apologised to all those affected by the decision to postpone Saturday's fight at short notice.
Credit: @ConorNigel Twitter - Sam Dymond
Smith favourite to fight Eubank
Chris Eubank Jr's next fight will now be against Callum Smith, according to the bookmakers.
The 32-year-old scouser is the 6/4 favourite with Betfair to be Eubank's next opponent following the collapse of his bout with Conor Benn.
However, there are hopes that the contest with Benn can be resurrected with the WBA Continental welterweight champion a 3/1 shot.
- Callum Smith 6/4
- Conor Benn 3/1
- Kell Brook 5/1
- Gennedy Golovkin 7/1
- Canelo Alvarez 20/1
- Billy Joe Saunders 33/1
Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: “Following the late cancellation of his eagerly-awaited bout against Conor Benn, Chris Eubank Jr now finds himself without an opponent and Callum Smith is the 6/4 favourite to fill the gap and be his next challenger.
“Kell Brook coming out of retirement for an all-British clash as Eubank’s next opponent is 5/1, while Eubank seeking a huge international fight against Golovkin is 7/1, and a shot to win four titles against Alvarez next is 20/1.”
Rearranged fight date
Promoter Eddie Hearn has stressed that this is a fight postponement, not a cancellation.
A new date is yet to be announced and a full investigation is taking place.
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