Chris Eubank Jr. stirred up controversy with a bold claim about doping in boxing. The British boxer said that if fighters using performance-enhancing substances got banned for life, "half the boxing industry would disappear."
Eubank Jr. made this statement just before his upcoming fight against Conor Benn at Tottenham Stadium in London on Saturday. The bout has been a long time coming, originally set for 2022 but delayed when Benn tested positive for clomiphene, a substance that boosts testosterone levels.
Eddie Hearn, the promoter behind the event, quickly shot down Eubank Jr.'s claim. The Matchroom Boxing owner called the statement "absolutely ridiculous" and pointed to the rigorous testing process in modern boxing.
"If you look at the amount of testing that goes on in boxing now, especially for major fights, it's exhaustive," Hearn said. "There has been a real improvement in testing, and I think we're in a good place."
Hearn highlighted that all major championship fights now go through full VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) testing. He also mentioned the low occurrence of positive tests, citing the recent Riyadh cards where only one negative result came from over 100 fights.
"So to say that 50% of the sport would be banned is a huge exaggeration. The statistics just don't add up," Hearn added.
While acknowledging that doping remains an issue in all high-performance sports, Hearn emphasized the strides boxing has made in its anti-doping efforts. The promoter's response paints a picture of a sport that's working hard to keep itself clean, contrary to Eubank Jr.'s provocative statement.
The Eubank Jr. vs Benn fight carries extra weight due to its history. The original cancellation came after Benn's positive test for clomiphene, which he was later forgiven for due to what was deemed excessive egg intake.
As fight night approaches, the focus will likely shift from Eubank Jr.'s controversial comments to the action in the ring. But his statement has certainly sparked a conversation about the state of doping in boxing, even if the numbers don't seem to back up his claim.
