Chris Eubank Jr. never gave much credence to the possibility that Conor Benn is an innocent man.
Now, after Benn appeared on a prominent British talk show to discuss his two positive tests for a banned performance-enhancing substance, Eubank says he does not have one iota of doubt that his adversary is anything other than guilty.
Benn recently went on Piers Morgan’s eponymous talk show, Piers Morgan Uncensored, to offer his most substantial remarks since his career was engulfed in controversy last year, when it was discovered that the welterweight had failed two separate tests for the banned substance clomifene, a fertility drug that boosts testosterone levels in men. The existence of the failed second test was what led to the cancellation of Benn’s scheduled 157-pound catchweight fight with Eubank Jr. last October. The matchup drew considerable attention because of the fighters' fathers, who were responsible for one of the most heated rivalries in British boxing in the 1990s.
In the extended interview, the Essex native talked about harboring suicidal thoughts, maintaining his innocence, justifying his decision not to cooperate with the British Boxing Board of Control, and being resigned to fighting outside his homeland for the foreseeable future.
Benn has been riding a wave of positive news stemming from the World Boxing Council's decision to reinstate him into their welterweight rankings after it concluded that an “elevated consumption” of eggs could have resulted in Benn inadvertently ingesting clomifene.
The tell-all with Morgan, however, did not seem to help Benn’s case, at least according to Eubank Jr.
“I was 99% sure @ConorNigel was a cheat but after watching that interview with @piersmorgan now I’m 100% sure,” Eubank Jr. wrote in a tweet. “Imagine failing TWO drugs tests & then trying to play the victim!? The balls on this kid!! Or should I say…the eggs on him (facepalm emoji).”
Benn responded straightaway, saying Eubank never seriously wanted to fight him.
“You (sic) Sat there trying to play the victim but tried blackmailing me for 1m pound,” Benn responded. “You sh!t house.”
On Instagram, Benn followed up with another comment directed at Eubank.
“You never wanted to fight me. I don’t blame you @chriseubankjr.”
Eubank is coming off an upset knockout loss to Liam Smith in a middleweight bout that took place in January in Manchester. A few weeks later, Eubank activated his rematch clause.
Benn has not fought since stopping Chris Van Heerden in four rounds last April. Benn has recently been linked to a potential fight with eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao.
