Chris Eubank Jr has demonstrated commendable sportsmanship by compensating the undercard fighters who were set to compete when his highly anticipated bout with Conor Benn was abruptly cancelled in 2022. The cancellation occurred after Benn failed a voluntary drugs test, leading to a prolonged dispute with anti-doping authorities. Despite the challenges, Eubank Jr has ensured that the affected fighters are not left out of pocket.

The Cancellation and Its Aftermath

The middleweight bout between Eubank Jr and Benn was initially scheduled to be a highlight of the boxing calendar. However, Benn's failed drugs test led to the event's cancellation, causing significant disruption. Benn has consistently denied any intentional doping, and an independent report by the WBC in February 2023 suggested that the failed test could have been due to a 'highly elevated consumption' of eggs.

Eubank Jr's Gesture

Eubank Jr took to Instagram to share a screenshot showing payments made to 10 fighters who missed out on the original fight card. He wrote, "Here's a little something to help out the undercard fighters that were left out of pocket." This gesture has been widely praised within the boxing community. Shannon Courtenay, who was set to fight on the undercard, responded with gratitude, calling Eubank Jr a "man of his word." Ellie Scotney, the unified IBF and WBO super-bantamweight titles champion, also commended Eubank Jr, simply stating, "what a guy."

Looking Ahead

The rescheduled bout between Eubank Jr and Benn is now set to take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26. Both fighters are being rigorously tested by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) to ensure a fair contest. The boxing world eagerly anticipates this clash, which promises to be a thrilling encounter.

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