sport news It was a NIGHTMARE day for boxing - Fury v Joshua was called off after sinking ... trends now JEFF POWELL: It was a NIGHTMARE day for boxing… Fury v Joshua was called off after sinking to shameful depths, while the attempt to get Benn v Eubank on is purely down to money A deeply damaging day for boxing began with Fury v Joshua pronounced dead The potential heavyweight Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua fight is now officially off Then the grim spectre of drugs led to permission for another being cancelled Conor Benn's positive drugs test saw his clash with Chris Eubank Jr likely off By Jeff Powell for the Daily Mail Published: 22:03 BST, 5 October 2022 | Updated: 22:03 BST, 5 October 2022 Viewcomments A deeply damaging day of chaos for boxing began with the biggest domestic heavyweight fight in the annals of the British ring — the world title clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua — being officially pronounced deceased. Then the grim spectre of drugs left the British Boxing Board of Control feeling they had no option but to cancel permission for Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn to fight on Saturday. The boxing community sighed in despair. The public at large switched off in disgust. Fury v Joshua sank into the shameful depths where the small print of commercial contracts counts for more than a world title. A deeply damaging day for boxing began with the biggest British heavyweight fight ever — the world title clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua — being officially pronounced dead There are accusations promoter Eddie Hearn (left) and Joshua (right) stalled on making a deal It has been dragged under by the complex web of corporate deals in which the putative challenger is enmeshed. There are accusations that Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has dragged his feet in attempts to untangle that morass to protect his Matchroom company's poster boy from a potential fourth defeat in his last six, which would deflate his market value. That is barely relevant. The devil lies in the legal detail of Joshua's sponsorships including Jaguar, Under Armour, Beats and DAZN. Hearn revealed as much when he said of Fury's offer of a title challenge: 'It is no longer as simple as fighters signing for the purse split. AJ could find himself in breach of contract with his business deals.' The boxing public's mood is unlikely to be improved when Joshua's replacement is unveiled as Derek Chisora. The harm to the sport of boxing is incalculable and it is inexcusable. Then Conor Benn (right) v Chris Eubank Jr (left) was thrown into chaos by Benn's positive drugs test, with the British Boxing Board of Control now refusing to sanction the O2 Arena bout The impact on Joshua's carefully curated image is likely to be considerable since Fury cannot reasonably be the one accused of pulling out, given his repeated calls for Joshua to step up. Fury's lead promoter Frank Warren said: 'We have always wanted this fight. Have they?' Bob Arum, Fury's US co-promoter is more blunt: 'Eddie Hearn has been moving heaven and earth to stall these negotiations until we run out of time and the fight is dead.' Joshua might have been wiser risking either landing on Fury the one punch which can change everything in boxing or being carried out on his shield to salutations. The public optics are not now in his favour. The attempts to get Benn v Eubank on despite the former's positive drug test is purely down to money. Boxing is under the control of financial moguls down to the smallest detail. That is the most damaging aspect after a nightmare day for the sport. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility