The Mail’s Riath Al-Samarrai provided a timely reminder of the need for factual and unbiased journalism as he broke the story of Conor Benn’s failed test, writes George Gigney.
There have been countless articles, interviews, think-tanks, and videos about the amazing flare-up of the fight between Chris Eubank Jnr and Conor Benn, but none is more important than the one that started it all.
Riath Al-Samarrai, in an excellent report for MailSport, broke the news that Conor Benn had tested positive for clomifene, a banned substance. This happened just days before the battle was scheduled to take place.
As a result, the fight has now been adjourned and UKAD (United Kingdom Anti-Doping Agency) will open a formal investigation into the failed test. That revelation also came from Al-Samarrai, who reported that Benn could face a four-year ban if he cannot prove his innocence or the mitigating circumstances.
This has been one of the biggest British boxing stories in years and Al-Samarrai should be applauded for bringing it to light. If not, there’s a very real chance we won’t hear about it until the fact – which is probably not the case at all. Other reports claim that Benn’s failed test results came out a few weeks ago, meaning everyone involved in the fight had known about it for a while but said nothing.
This highlights many unsettling things about the sport we follow – many systemic shortcomings – but it also shows the importance of fair journalism. We have seen, in recent years, a significant increase in the number of outlets reporting on boxing. They have access to fighters, promoters, performances and training camps.
What trained and experienced reporters like Al-Samarrai do not others have is the ability to maintain a certain distance from the people they cover. There is respect and respect for the people involved in boxing, especially the boxers, but also the motivation to hold them accountable when they cross the line.
Those of us who follow boxing have a responsibility to pursue and report the incident. This incident with Benn is a perfect example of how important that is; without it, we would have had a more disastrous outcome.
It also raises the question: what else do we not know? Not only with this failed test, but in boxing in general. Even with the blinding spotlight from some of the world’s biggest media outlets shining on the situation, there’s only so much we can figure out. And even then there were conflicting reports about what was going on between Matchroom Boxing, the Boxing Control Board, UKAD and VADA.
Countless words have been written about this failure in the past few days. National newspapers and international sports agencies were involved. As ever, it’s the sports newsmen who make a living with the most nuances. For BoxingScene, Tris Dixon wrote a column highlighting how boxing needs drastic changes to the way it works before it’s too late. He also listed some serious questions to answer, but it is now clear that the major powers are positioning themselves behind a legal wall.
Don McRae wrote another excellent piece for Guardians, declined to withhold his analysis of what happened in the past week or so. He reached the same conclusion as Dixon: boxing needs to change.
What we do know is that Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua won’t be fighting each other next. Before the Eubank-Benn explosion, the voices of both sides in these negotiations indicated that the war was essentially dead at home. If that’s not enough to upset you, give it a try: Fury can fight Derek Chisora instead.
Based on walkie talkie The Londoners are now in the lead to face Fury in December for what could be the most pointless trio in the sport’s history. The pair fought each other in 2011 and 2014 with Fury winning both competitions convincingly. Since then, he has established himself as the strongest contender on the planet. As he imagines, Chisora is usually well worth the money but won’t be able to defend this fight if it is confirmed to be taking place. The only notable thing is to hope Fury can face Oleksandr Usyk in March or April next year.
YouTube
Credit due: the coverage of Eubank-Benn by iD Boxing is huge. On the day of the press conference, the channel went live on the website, providing updates as they arrived and engaging people for short interviews. Hosted by Rob Tebbutt and Castillo, it is both entertaining and informative.
They spoke to journalists, former boxers and even boxers, who were arranged to be featured on the card. All agreed: the main event should not continue.
iD Boxing is also one of the few YouTube stores that asks the harder questions of those involved in event staging. Although the answers were not satisfactory, at least questions were raised.
IFL TV was criticized for not doing so during their exclusive dialogue with Eddie Hearn after the fight was officially adjourned. Some of the criticism that’s deserved is that the interview doesn’t reveal anything new nor explore many of the key issues. However, it is likely that Kugan Cassius, who conducted the interview, said that there are many things that Hearn simply cannot discuss because of legal troubles.
On the day the fight was adjourned, Hearn and Kalle Sauerland held a brief press conference – if you can call it that – to confirm the news with gathered media. No one is allowed to ask any questions. It is unreasonably restricted and the type of movement makes boxing a frustrating and frustrating sport at times.
Boxing on the box
October 15
Claressa Shields-Savannah Marshall
Sky Sports Action
Coverage starts at 7:30pm
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DAZN
Coverage starts at 9am
October 16
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FITE TV
Coverage starts at 2a
