Tony Sims, trainer of Conor Benn, has expressed his devastation after the boxer's scheduled fight with Chris Eubank Jr was cancelled due to a failed drug test. Benn tested positive for the banned substance clomifene in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) test taken in August.
The catchweight bout at 157lb was set to take place this Saturday, marking 30 years since the legendary rematch between their fathers, which ended in a draw. However, the fight was called off after the adverse finding came to light. Sims, who has worked with Benn since he was a teenager, stated that the fighter is determined to clear his name, insisting he did not knowingly take the substance.
In a statement, Sims said: 'After 26 years in boxing, a sport I love and have dedicated my life to, I can say hand on heart that I have never experienced or witnessed any athlete in my camp fail an anti-doping test, voluntary or mandatory and I stand proud by that fact. Today leaves me truly devastated as we call a postponement to such an amazing event that I was honoured to say I was a part of.'
Sims added that he has worked closely with Benn for seven years and supported him as a coach and friend. 'Having spoken to Conor personally in length surrounding the subject and listening to him, I support him as a coach and a friend. We are determined to get to the bottom of this as a team, working closely with Conor's legal advisors in an effort to understand the meaning of the 'adverse finding' and resolve this matter urgently.'
Benn has not been officially suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) as his B-sample is yet to be tested. The 26-year-old, who returned negative UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) tests prior to the fight, maintained his innocence, saying: 'I am truly gutted we are unable to make this fight happen on Saturday and I am sorry to everybody who has been affected by this postponement. I am still shocked by this and it has been a tough couple of days. My team and I will consider the next options including rescheduling the fight, but my immediate focus is on cleaning my name because I am a clean athlete.'
