Chris Algieri, a former WBO junior welterweight champion, believes he was aware of doping allegations against Conor Benn prior to their previous bout.
Algieri visited England in December to give Benn what many anticipated would be the biggest test of his fighting career at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.
Algieri, a former world champion who boasts a notable victory over Ruslan Provodnikov and had previously faced Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan, was undoubtedly a significant step up in competition for Benn.
The battle, however, ended up being easy for “The Destroyer,” who dominated the first three rounds before stunningly finishing the New Yorker with one punch in round four.
After defeating Chris van Heerden, the 26-year-old Englishman scheduled a tantalising domestic match against Chris Eubank Jr. for Saturday night at London’s O2 Arena.
When it was announced that Benn tested negatively for clomifene after being tested by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association in August, the bout was put in peril on Wednesday.
The British Boxing Board of Control forbade the fight from happening a day later, despite the fact that all parties engaged in the fight wanted to proceed with the pay-per-view event on DAZN.
Algieri claimed he was unsurprised to learn about Benn’s recent drug test problem since he had heard rumours that the cheating son of ring icon Nigel was involved.
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initial ideas? Not shocked at all, he said to “Jomboy Boxing.”
I prefer to give boxers the benefit of the doubt because I had heard he wasn’t a pure fighter around the time I was facing him.
This has to do with rivalry. I don’t wish to detract from anyone who enters that squared circle, but doing so is the riskiest thing you can possibly do. Every warrior that enters the ring has my respect. Cheats have no respect from me.
Hearing this really hits close to heart for me. I’m once more unsurprised. Nothing about hearing this astonished me. It didn’t shock me because it’s a fact; it startled me because he got caught.
The 38-year-old gave an explanation for why, upon learning that Benn might possess an unfair and potentially harmful advantage, he was content to go with the bout.
I’ve previously defeated dirty warriors. Algieri continued, “I’ve always been eager to beat guys who were cheating. I’ve done it before.
At the moment, I didn’t care because I was mentally preparing for a fight that I would soon be having with that man.
It is what it is, but in hindsight it isn’t the best move since getting ready for a fight leaves your mind rather busy.
Algieri also used social media to discuss his encounter with Benn in England, which he described as frightening due to the officials’ – in his perspective – inadequate enforcement of the regulations.
“I was shocked at how little official control there was throughout fight week and in the locker room when I fought in Liverpool. He tweeted that it was scary, to be honest.
Nobody watched me p*** or wrap my hands, nor did they follow me. I definitely got the idea that cheating was quite simple.
Definitely not the oversight I usually argue about in the States. particularly in NEW YORK where the commission is of the highest calibre.
Van Heeden added his voice to the discussion and acknowledged that he would never know whether or not he had been treated fairly.
“I never offered any justifications for my defeat by Conor Benn and I took it like a man. I used to feel at peace, but I guess I’ll never know if I really did lose to a better man or a cheat.
