Conor Benn convinced Chris Eubank Jr that the fight was going ahead despite the threat of a ban

Conor Benn is confident the fight against Chris Eubank Jr still happens after failing a drug test ahead of their historic October 8 clash. Benn's statement follows news that traces of the banned substance clomiphene were found in Benn's sample from a VADA drug test. The British Boxing Board of Control has since declared the fight "banned".

A statement made by promoters Wasserman and Matchroom Boxing, which was shared by Eddie Hearn, reads: "We have been advised that a random doping test for Conor Benn conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association has returned a negative test finding traces of a fertility drug.

“Sample B has not yet been tested, which means that no rule violations have been confirmed. Indeed, Mr. Benn has not been charged with any rule violations, he is not suspended and 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 tests for the fight. 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 continue the fight on Saturday."

This was followed by a press release from the British Boxing Board of Control, canceling the competition, stating: "On the evening of 4th October 2022, the Board of Directors of the British Boxing Board of Control Limited decided that the contest between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn scheduled for October 8, 2022 is prohibited as it is not in the best interests of boxing."

Now Benn has broken his silence in an appearance at the event's open practice - which took place despite ongoing developments. "I haven't committed any violations and I haven't been suspended. As far as I'm concerned, the fight is going to continue," Benn said.

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He continued, "I signed up for all the voluntary doping controls. I've never had any issues before. So my team is going to find out why there was a first abnormal result in my test. I' I'm a clean athlete and we'll get to the bottom of it."

Eddie Hearn has confirmed that they are discussing the issue with attorneys and that Matchroom is doing everything they can to get the fight to happen.