Promoter Eddie Hearn is fuming that Robert Smith of the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) has spoken to the media about the licencing issues of Conor Benn.
The 27-year-old Benn 22-0 (14) has long been linked to a bout against arch nemesis Chris Eubank Jr 33-3 (24) but a failed drug test has made the fight near-on impossible to make after the BBBofC refused to grant him a licence to box.
Welterweight Benn was scheduled to face the 34-year-old Eubank Jr was scheduled to take place in October last year at a 157-pound catchweight before Benn tested positive for the banned performance enhancing drug Clomifene on two occasions.
Benn was cleared to fight by the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) but remains embroiled in a legal fight with the BBBofC and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD).
As things stand at the moment, Benn is unlicenced to box in the UK.
Smith, the general secretary of the BBBofC, granted an interview to talkSPORT this week where he explained the reasoning why Benn’s application was denied.
“The Board feel that any athlete who has failed a drugs test needs to go through an investigation with the proper authorities and that hasn’t happened,” Smith said.
“We’re waiting for that to happen and the BBBofC and UKAD have been pushing for that to happen right from the beginning of this and unfortunately it’s been delayed, not through the BBBofC or UKAD, but through other parties.
“With regard to Mr Benn boxing in this country, we have had an application for him to box in this country, that has been refused.”
The comments didn’t sit well with Benn’s promoter Hearn.
“Very disappointed to see Robert Smith come on talkSPORT and give his explanation without actually speaking to us, again choosing to go through the media. His comments actually were completely inaccurate and that will be dealt with today by Conor and his legal team. We believe Conor Benn is clear to fight, legally,” the Matchroom Boxing boss told Boxing Social.
“To say he hasn’t gone through the applicable channels, that will be dealt with in a big way because that is absolute rubbish.
“He’s gone through the hearing with the WBC, which is the body that controlled the testing, he got completely cleared of any wrongdoing and reinstated in the rankings, then he chose to go through the UKAD ruling as well because he felt like it was the thing to do, and got his suspension lifted and won the case.
“For us the focus is on making the fight. And until the fight is made, really, it might be irrelevant. If we get it signed, then we will deal with the situation.
“I want this fight to happen in the UK, I want it to happen on February 3 at Spurs and I’ll do everything I can to make that happen.”
