Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn were set to put their longstanding rivalry to the set on October 8, 2022, in a showdown that was rightfully billed as, ‘Born Rivals’. This was a major fight for both fighters as their fathers also maintained a fierce rivalry throughout the 1990s. However, fate was not on their side, as the fight had to be postponed after Benn failed a drug test. Benn recently took to social media to issue a statement regarding the same.
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The catchweight showdown between Eubank Jr. and Benn was set to take place at the O2 Arena in London. But, news quickly spread that Benn has returned a positive sample with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). Talking about Benn failing the drug test, Eubank Jr. said, “There’s no forgetting, absolutely not. Forgiveness, no, I don’t need to have that in my mind.”
He also mentioned that he would not have taken up the fight if he’d known that Benn had failed the drug test.
Conor Benn issues a statement regarding the failed drug test
It should be mentioned that Conor Benn has always maintained his innocence about the incident. And, in a recent social media post, he issued a statement where he opened up about the same.
‼️ Statement from Conor Benn: “My team has proven my innocence and the truth will soon come out.” pic.twitter.com/0QBCMpyWfY
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) December 12, 2022
He said, “It’s been really hard for me to accept that people think that I would do what I was accused of. But what I’ve come to realize is people rush to judgment. Without knowing the facts, especially people in the boxing community (and, most disappointingly, even those that know me).”
Benn further mentioned that he has stayed at the gym and continued working hard despite the adversities. Additionally, he also revealed that his team has proven his innocence. And that they would be letting the news out at the earliest.
He stated that he will be back in 2023 to become the world champion. Benn also mentioned that he would be staying silent about the issue, until the news is officially released.
Fans share their thoughts on Benn’s statements
Boxing fans were not too convinced by Benn’s statement. In fact, they took to social media to share their thoughts about the same.
Honestly he would get more respect by saying he made a mistake, not only did he fail one test he failed TWO months apart, how can anybody prove his innocence 🤥
— Anthony Fowler 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (@afowler06) December 12, 2022
How did he fails two tests and why was it in his system? Good luck trying to explain that one boys 😆
— Dan (@DJKBOX101) December 12, 2022
A few fans were quick to point out that Benn had failed two drug tests. And also mentioned that he would have earned more respect if he had accepted his mistake.
Lance Armstrong in June 2012: "I have never doped … I have competed as an endurance athlete for 25 years with no spike in performance, passed more than 500 drug tests and never failed one."
— Turlo (@turlo100) December 12, 2022
Meanwhile, a user compared the incident to the former cyclist, Lance Armstrong, failing his drug test.
Gonna be the ol’ contamination excuse but we all know the truth, he thought he came off cycle in time but he didn’t and they was going to cover the whole thing up until it was leaked to the press
— Reg (@FruitnVeggie) December 12, 2022
Cmon, we all know he has the best lawyers in the country. They will be looking at everything, analysing the absolute minutiae for the tiniest of threads to pull on. Probably find something in the process that was only done 99.9% right.
— Tom (@tommotroot) December 12, 2022
Why say anything in advance of his team sharing the supposedly irrefutable evidence that he's innocent? Why not release this statement once the innocence has been proven?
— KronkStyleKO (@Kreestoph274639) December 12, 2022
Similarly, a few users accused Benn’s team and lawyers of covering up the incident.
The big problem is having many drug test companies testing for different things. If they all can't test the same drug on all drugs at the same levels the should consolidate into one big company and have 1 drug testing company for all.
— craig dales (@cd19831) December 12, 2022
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However, a user felt that there were far too many drug testing companies. The user also mentioned that there should only be one company that conducts drug tests.
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What are your thoughts on Benn’s statement? Do share in the comments below.
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