sport news Chris Eubank Jr breaks his silence after his fight with Conor Benn is called off trends now
Chris Eubank Jr has spoken for the first time since his fight with Conor Benn was officially called off on Thursday.
This weekend's highly anticipated clash between the pair was plunged into doubt on Wednesday, after Sportsmail broke the bombshell news that Benn had tested positive for banned substance clomifene.
Co-promoters Eddie Hearn and Kalle Sauerland - as well as both Eubank Jr and Benn - on Wednesday insisted they still planned for the fight to go ahead, which sources reiterated to Sportsmail on Thursday morning.
However on Thursday afternoon, confirmation came through that the fight was officially off.
And Eubank Jr took to Twitter to comment on the news soon afterwards.
He tweeted: 'Conor got caught using an illegal substance so the fight is off. Can’t believe it. I really apologise to the fans & everyone that bought tickets, traveled & booked hotels, this should not of happened. He has escaped his schooling… for now.'
Eubank Jr's tweet received more than 1,000 retweets and 10,000 likes within 30 minutes.
Despite the co-promoters claiming the bout would still go ahead, there were several question marks over how it would actually take place following an announcement from the British Boxing Board of Control stating the bout was prohibited from taking place.
Hearn’s Matchroom company challenged the Board’s refusal to sanction the fight, with the promoter insisting 'there's no reason, in terms of suspension, or violations, the fight should not take place'.
This weekend's fight between Chris Eubank Jr (left) and Conor Benn (right) is officially off
Eubank Jr took to Twitter on Thursday to comment on the news that his fight with Benn was off
Benn tested positive for banned substance clomifene in the build-up to the mega-fight
However, following extensive legal talks on Thursday afternoon, the decision to call off the bout was finally made.
Matchroom confirmed the news, revealing the bout is 'postponed' and insisting the Board's decision to withdraw their sanctioning was 'procedurally flawed and without due process'.
The Matchroom statement read: 'After discussions with various parties, we have taken the decision to formally postpone the bout between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn.
'It is undeniable that the British Boxing Board of Control’s decision to withdraw their sanctioning was procedurally flawed and without due process. That remains a legal issue between the promoters and the Board which we intend to pursue.
