Following the cancellation of Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn, Tony Bellew defended his friend and former promoter Eddie Hearn.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that Benn had tested positive for the illegal testosterone-boosting drug clomifene last month.
Even nevertheless, the bout was vigorously defended by the promoters of Benn and Eubank Jr., Hearn and Kalle Sauerland.
The British Boxing Board of Control’s decision to forbid the match ultimately proven to be a significant barrier.
Hearn and Sauerland accepted defeat and temporarily postponed the show on Thursday.
In the past, Bellew has been outspoken in his criticism of drug cheats, however some have charged that when it comes to fighters supported by Hearn who test positive, he has not made this point with the same vigour.
He spoke out to reinforce his position on Friday.
Please remember that there is a reaction to every action, Bellew wrote in a tweet. I have ALWAYS been against PED use in boxing. Anyone caught using PEDs should face a lifetime ban, and I mean ANYONE! Please keep the same momentum and try to cheat now, everyone! EVERY SINGLE ONE!
Bellew tweeted in response to a different message about Chris Eubank Sr. relaxing in South Africa: “That’s the best news I’ve heard this week! He and his family should not have to go through what they have, parents!
Sebastian Eubank, brother of Eubank Jr. and son of Eubank Sr., unfortunately passed away in 2016.
Who knows what he could have had to go through if the bout had gone on and the positive test had been covered up, a fan tweeted in response to Bellew’s statement.
Bellew responded, “That’s all down to Eddie Hearn! He could still put it on, but he made the choice! That is a FACT, not an opinion.
The fact that Hearn insisted the fight would take place for more than 24 hours before grudgingly deciding to postpone it has caused many fans to have negative reactions to this tweet.
One response to Bellew stated: “Sauerland argued the choice was made without their input.” Tony, stop spouting rubbish and stick to your principles, young man.
Another said: “Why’d he wait until two days before Tony? And just after a leak to a major newspaper?
A third person commented: “DONT make out that he is the Good Samaritan in this If he had any integrity for the sport of boxing then he would of pulled the bout straight away Due to the pressure of the BBBOC and the general public He was backed into a corner and forced into this decision!”
“That is just garbage and you know it Tony,” said another response.
