Conor Benn’s fight with Chris Eubank Jr was dramatically cancelled on Thursday amid scenes of bitterness and acrimony in the wake of his failed drugs test.

Benn’s team, led by promoter Eddie Hearn, had remarkably attempted to push Saturday’s bout through a legal loophole, but Sportsmail understands they finally shelved plans for an injunction against the British Boxing Board of Control before even getting to the High Court.

The abandonment of one of the most-hyped fights of the year follows our explosive revelation on Wednesday that Benn had tested positive for the banned substance clomifene, prompting the Board to block the showdown at The O2 ‘in the interests of boxing’.

It has sparked outrage within the sport that the camps for both boxers then resorted to legal technicalities in an effort to save a fight worth an estimated £15million, before ruling it out on Thursday on the grounds that the timeframe until the first bell was too limited.

On another day of chaos for boxing, Sportsmail first broke the news of the cancellation at 3pm before Matchroom later confirmed it in a statement that outlined their plans to resume the legal battle in efforts to reschedule the fight.

In continuing to heap blame on the Board for the fiasco, the statement read: ‘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.

‘However, whilst there are legal routes to facilitate the fight taking place as planned, we do not believe that it is in the fighters’ interests for those to be pursued at such a late stage, or in the wider interests of the sport.

‘As promoters, we take our obligations and duties very seriously, and a full investigation will now need to take place. We will be making no further comment at this time and news for ticket holder refunds will follow.’

This weekend’s fight between Chris Eubank Jr (left) and Conor Benn (right) is officially off

Benn tested positive for banned substance clomifene in the build-up to the mega-fight

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn initially remained adamant the fight should still go ahead 

That Matchroom still want to push on despite knowing Benn has failed a drugs test will only inflame the sense of incredulity around such a dangerous issue. Hard questions will also persist for the Board of Control, given our revelation that all parties were notified by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association of the positive test on September 23, with the Board only voicing their objections publicly once the story had broken.

While they have been conspicuous by their silence, beyond the publication of their short statement on Wednesday, they have been pressed into a corner by boxing’s peculiar structures.

Hearn and Eubank Jr’s promoters Wasserman attempted to exploit those shortcomings by arguing the fight should go on because the positive test was collected by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association and not UK Anti-Doping Agency – the body formally recognised by the Board of Control. That position has been advanced trenchantly by Hearn’s lawyers despite the VADA agency being recruited by the promotion for this fight at an estimated cost of £30,000.

As rival promoter Frank Warren told Sportsmail: ‘Why sign up to VADA if you will not recognise their findings?’

It is a question that has cut to the heart of an extraordinary saga.

Speaking about it all, Benn said: ‘I am truly gutted they we are unable to make this fight happen. And I am sorry for everyone that has been affected by the postponement.

‘I am still completely shocked and surprised 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 in on clearing my name because I am a clean athlete.’

Eubank Jr reacted to the cancellation by tweeting: ‘Conor got caught using an illegal substance so the fight is off. Can’t believe it. I really apologise to the fans and everyone that bought tickets, travelled & booked hotels, this should not of happened. He has escaped his schooling… for now.’ 

Matchroom confirmed that the fight has been ‘postponed’ on Thursday afternoon, revealing news on ticket refunds will follow

Eubank Jr responded shortly after, insisting his British rival Benn has escaped a schooling

Efforts to keep the fight alive in the absence of Board licences included the exploration of a foreign sanctioning body by figures connected to the fight. Hearn told Sportsmail on Thursday that was never an option in his view, but multiple sources claimed it was a live possibility in the eyes of others connected to the fight, with as many as three overseas authorities considered possibilities.

It is also understood that discussions were held in the past 24 hours about revising Eubank Jr’s weight requirements for the bout in response to Benn’s situation. Eubank Jr’s weight was already an area of concern because the middleweight was due to benefit from a two-division advantage over welterweight Benn for the 157-pound catchweight encounter.

Hearn has been quick to point out that Benn is not currently suspended nor has he been charged with a violation, and it remains unclear if he has requested a test on his B sample, having triggered a positive for a fertility drug for women that can boost testosterone in men. UKAD, the national anti-doping agency who will ultimately determine if an offence has been committed, are looking at the case.

In a brief statement, their CEO Jane Rumble said: ‘UKAD notes the reporting of a failed VADA test by the boxer Conor Benn with concern. UKAD acts on all reports of doping and always encourages anyone with information on suspected doping activity to come forward and share that with us.’

Sportsmail’s Riath Al-Samarrai broke the exclusive of Benn’s positive drugs test on Wednesday

Eubank Jr was present at Wednesday’s public workout and insisted he was still willing to fight

Eubank Jr vs Benn OFF: A timeline 

Wednesday

11:47am: Sportsmail reveals Conor Benn has failed a drugs test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), plunging Saturday night’s scheduled fight into doubt. Benn tests positive for Clomifene – a banned women’s infertility drug that triggers testosterone production for men.

12:25pm: Matchroom announce they are aware of the drug test but that Benn has not been charged with any rule violation and remains free to fight. They state that Benn has since passed a doping test conducted by the UK Anti-Doping Agency and that the fighters wish to proceed with the bout, which will earn both a seven-figure fee.

2:24pm: The British Boxing Board of Control release a statement stating the contest’ is prohibited as it is not in the interests of boxing’ and that they will no longer sanction the fight.

6pm: Benn says that he had spoken personally with Chris Eubank Jr about the positive test but Eubank Jr confirms that no conversation has taken place between both parties.

Thursday

10am: Sportsmail reveal that both figures in the fight explored the possibility of using a foreign sanctioning body to allow the fight to go ahead.

1:19pm: Eddie Hearn tweets he ‘will not be promoting the fight with a foreign commission or alternative governing body.’

3:01: Sportsmail breaks that the fight is officially off.

4:05pm: Matchroom confirm the fight is postponed. Their statement says, ‘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.’

4:34pm: Eubank Jr tweets that ‘Conor got caught using an illegal substance so the fight is off… He has escaped his schooling… for now.’

Source: dailymail