CHRIS EUBANK JR’S clash with Conor Benn this Saturday will still go ahead despite the failed drug test controversy, says Eddie Hearn.
The two stars, whose fathers had two wars in the 1990s, are due to continue the family feud in a 157lb catchweight clash.
Chris Eubank Jr’s fight with Conor Benn will still go ahead this Saturday
But the sold out O2 and pay-per-view fight bout was dramatically thrown into doubt just days before the bell was due to sound.
It emerged earlier that Benn, 25, had returned an adverse finding in his pre-fight drug test.
However, Matchroom promoter Hearn has now released a statement confirming that the fight WILL STILL take place.
He released a statement which read: “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.
“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.”
Eubank’s promoter Kalle Sauerland said: “There has been a trace finding of a female fertility drug in a VADA test, which is seaware from the UKAD scheme.
“At the end of August and the start of September, when this test was done and it was relayed to us when the result came back.
“The board follows UKAD rules and the UKAD tests were negative.
“We took medical advice and although it is not a PED it can raise testosterone levels.
“We discussed this with Chris and he was happy to continue and he spoke to Benn directly. They had a personal discussion and it’s a personal matter for Benn.”
Sauerland added: “I can confirm we and Chris want the bout to happen.
“There was a trace finding, the key is the UKAD findings and medical advice. The medical advice is the be-all-and-end-all.
“The instant reaction is FIGHT OFF but then you look into what it is.
“You have to look at the scenario around it and the fact the other tests were not positive.”
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