Via Barry Holbrook: Eddie Hearn says that with the information he knows about Conor Benn’s case due to failed drug tests, he believes there is a truth. “a good chance” that he will not be banned.
As a result, Hearn said he expects Benn (21-0, 14 KOs) to return to the ring in March or in the summer. Whether that fight will be an adjustment variety for undefeated Benn or against a “big” name will depend on his coach Tony Sims.
It would mislead many boxing fans if Benn didn’t receive a long-term ban for his two failed clomifene tests, but we don’t know if there was contamination in the testing process.
From the way Hearn talks, he seems confident that Benn won’t be banned. But even if Benn does, it might not be a long time and he’ll be back in the ring ready to continue his successful career.
“Not true. He knew about the pre-match test. He was really ready to continue that fight,” Eddie Hearn told iFL TV when informed that Chris Eubank Jr said he was unaware of Conor Benn’s first positive drug test which led to their October 8 fight being cancelled.
“You have to understand that one of his comments was, ‘If I had known about it, I wouldn’t have signed the contract.’ We didn’t know about it until the contracts were signed for that fight. So there’s nothing that anyone could have done in that respect.
“When we received the information, the case was being heard. It was a case of secrecy with the WBC. His [Eubank Jr] the group was made aware of the test. They are still willing to move on with that. So it is one for Kalle.
“A lot of interviews about time and stuff like that, that’s the bigger question. What I can tell you is he [Eubank Jr] was aware of it before the war was cancelled. He was prepared to continue the fight, or his team knew about it before.
“Also, the British Boxing Control Board was aware of that first test. There is an ongoing process that is kept secret from them and the hearing, and yes, that’s all. That hears now, as you’ve heard from [WBC president] mauricio [Sulaiman]is deep inside.
“I heard an interview, I don’t know if it was from you guys, saying that there will be results by the end of this month. I can’t wait because I think a lot of people will be surprised at what’s coming about Conor Benn.
“I think he will fight sooner than you think. If he does get a restraining order, from the information we have, I don’t think that’s necessarily fair, but if he does, I don’t think it will be a long ban.
“I don’t want to be overconfident, but I think it’s going to be interesting what’s going to happen here.
“I think there’s a very good chance he won’t get the ban. Again, I can’t say too much, but that information. This is an independent. This is a legal system that is being applied by everyone to all news and events.
“In my opinion, from what I have seen, if there is a ban, it cannot be a big ban compared to the facts that will come out. But again, how many times have we had this interview in the last three months?
“Then let them testify. It’s great that Mauricio has come out and said the hearing is underway and we’ll have the results. Whatever the outcome is, it’s the result. He will either be allowed to fight, or he will receive a ban.
“When that ban is over, if it is, he will fight again, or if he is allowed to fight immediately, he will fight again. He’s back in the gym. Mentally now, he needs to focus on the game and prepare to resume his career at some point, that will be determined.
“It depends on Tony Sims,” Hearn said when asked if Conor Benn will adjust when he returns to the ring. “Mentally, this is an extremely terrible period for him. So are you ready to return to the flames in the 50-50 fight?
“In Conor Benn’s opinion, yes. But in the coach’s mind, maybe you come back, depending on the situation, in March or whatever, and then you have a big fight in the summer. Or, depending on the situation, maybe you just come back in the summer,” says Hearn.
