Boxing

Boxing has become a laughing stock. It even looks like it will be left out of the Olympics because they cannot sort out the cheating.

Conor Benn wants 'apology' from critics as Ukad investigates failed drugs test.



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Conor Benn says he expects an "apology" from his critics as the investigation continues into his failed drugs test.

Benn's bout with fellow Briton Chris Eubank Jr on 8 October was called off after he tested positive for the banned substance Clomifene.

Promoters said his test returned an "adverse analytical finding for trace amounts of a fertility drug".

UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) is investigating Benn's test.

Benn said on Instagram: "I hope the apology is as loud as the disrespect."

The drugs test was administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada), a third party hired by Eubank Jr and Benn to provide extra testing for their scheduled catchweight fight.

Vada are not an official partner of the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), which adheres to Ukad's testing protocols.

However, Ukad is duty-bound to investigate the case as it is a potential anti-doping violation by a boxer licensed by BBBofC, which is under its jurisdiction.

If found guilty of an anti-doping violation, 26-year-old Benn could receive a suspension between two and four years.

Benn's B sample will also be tested and if that also comes back positive for Clomifene, he will have the opportunity to provide any relevant information which could help explain how the substance got into his system. That could mitigate any punishment.

Clomifene can be used to boost testosterone levels in men and is banned inside and outside competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).

Benn, who insists he is a "clean" fighter, and Eubank Jr were scheduled to meet in the ring at a catchweight of 157lb, 30 years after their fathers Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr fought.

The BBBofC said the bout was "prohibited and not in the interests of boxing" a few days before the fight, which was postponed the following day.

Promoters Matchroom said the BBBofC's decision to withdraw its sanctioning was "procedurally flawed and without due process".

Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn argued that because the BBBofC does not "recognise" Vada, it had no reason to call off the fight or suspend Benn.

A boxer can be a bit wild in the ring and get away with just tremendous power, so in many cases they don't need stamina or to a certain extent the intelligence.

But if a boxer wants to be the best a granit chin would come in handy to take a punch or two.

Yup. Looks like an idiot.

Jeff Fenech awarded world title 31 years after the fight. What a joke. Let's just review every fight ever held.

It's only January and last nights fight between Yarde and Beterbiev will take some beating for the title of fight of the year.Great performance from Yarde against an absolute beast of a fighter in Beterbiev.The light heavyweight division is stacked with top class fighters and is one of the most exciting.

Anthony Joshua: Briton to make ring return on 1st April in London against American Jermaine Franklin..

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Heavyweight Anthony Joshua's comeback fight will take place on 1st April at the O2 Arena in London, promoter Eddie Hearn has announced.

Joshua, 33, is likely to fight American Jermaine Franklin, who lost on points to Dillian Whyte last November.

A news conference will be held next week to officially announce the fight.

"It's a really tough fight with loads of pressure to come back because if AJ doesn't win this fight, then we've got a major problem," said Hearn.

"I believe you'll see a statement from a guy who is very dangerous, very motivated to become a three-time heavyweight world champion."

Joshua has lost his last two fights, both to unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk.

The Watford fighter is a two-time heavyweight world champion and has 24 wins, as well as three defeats.

Matchroom promoter Hearn dismissed the suggestion 29-year-old Franklin was an easy opponent for Joshua.

Franklin was unbeaten before losing to Whyte and was unhappy with the scoring of that fight, feeling he won the contest.

"There's so much contradiction: 'Anthony Joshua is finished, mentally he's shot, but he'll knock out Jermaine Franklin inside three rounds,'" Hearn told 5 Live Boxing in New York.

"The same people that say Jermaine Franklin beat Dillian Whyte but he's a terrible opponent for Anthony Joshua, in a comeback fight after two defeats to the pound-for-pound number one.

"What this guy has done from a resume perspective is unbelievable.

"And I'm telling you now, this guy - still top-three heavyweight, capable of regaining his heavyweight world title."

Conor Benn has 'serious concerns' about drug testing in boxing after WBC ruling over failed test..

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Conor Benn says he has "serious concerns" about the testing system in boxing after the WBC ruled his failed drugs test was not "intentional".

Benn, 26, also criticised the conduct of the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) as he tried to clear his name.

The WBC ruled "there were no failures in procedures" connected to Benn's sample but he disputed that claim.

"My sample appears to have come back clear the first [time] it was tested," Benn said in a post on social media.

"Without explanation, it was retested again after nine days and only then did it show a trace positive result."

Benn failed two voluntary drug tests for the female fertility drug clomifene before his cancelled October 2022 bout with Chris Eubank Jr.

"I have never previously failed any kind of anti-doping test, and passed multiple tests with both Ukad (UK Anti-Doping) and Vada (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) in close proximity to the two tests that returned adverse findings.

"This adds further proof to my belief that the findings were testing errors."

He added: "Everything that I have learnt during this process from talking to many experts gives me serious concerns about the whole testing system in the sport.

"Anti-doping protections are obviously extremely important, but so is ensuring people are given due process and presumed innocent until proven guilty."

The WBC said Benn's failed test could have been caused by a "highly-elevated consumption of eggs".

"At no point did I indicate that I failed any Vada tests because of contaminated eggs," said Benn.

"As part of its lengthy investigation, the WBC instructed its own experts to review my supplements and diet, and they concluded that egg contamination was the most likely cause.

"Those experts have seen this issue arise in elite athletes across other sports, and I have no reason to question their analysis when it concludes I am not a cheat."

Benn is still under investigation by Ukad and the BBBofC and is unable to fight in the United Kingdom as he does not have a boxing licence.

In terms of the BBBofC, he was critical of the governing body and accused it of attacking him and "treating me with utter contempt".

Benn added: "I wouldn't wish for my worst enemy to experience what me and my family have gone through, but next time I step into the ring I will be mentally tougher than I ever was before."

Following the WBC ruling into Benn's case, the BBBofC said it was aware of the findings and said "the WBC is a sanctioning body and not a governing body".

It added: "The decision of the WBC does not affect the ongoing implementation of the BBBofC's rules."