Eddie Hearn has responded to being called out for “hypocrisy” after mentioning atypical “normally unpublished” drug test results for Artur Beterbiev.
Hearn spoke to several media outlets about the need for transparency about Beterbiev’s tests, which resulted in elevated levels of HGH and testosterone.
No one did much despite Hearn’s pleas because the findings were not abnormal and did not represent a failure.
Beterbiev was furious at the suggestion that he had done something wrong.
But despite this well-known fact about VADA procedures, the Matchroom boss questioned why more media outlets were not investigating Beterbiev.
The Essex man claimed greater scrutiny would have accompanied the results if this were a Matchroom fighter.
Victor Conte, a long-time detractor of Hearn’s dealings with his fighters’ failed drug tests, disagreed as Conor Benn has two unexplained adverse findings from sixteen months ago.
Eddie Hearn questioned
The Snac founder made his feelings clear when directing his questioning to Hearn.
“Was Eddie Hearn playing “mind games” when he “talked non-stop” about Beterviev’s “atypical” test results?
“The results of atypical tests are not positive tests and are not normally made public. He repeatedly predicted a one-punch KO by [Callum] Blacksmith? Because?
“Does anyone see the hypocrisy of Hearn calling for more ‘science’ about Beterbiev’s “outlier results”? [not positive] When his own boxer Conor Benn has been unwilling to provide any scientific knowledge he supposedly has about two positive drug tests?
Hearn responds to Conte
Following Smith’s seventh-round stoppage loss, Hearn fired back at Conte. He said: “You have a bit of a front.
“You talk about hypocrisy when you’re one of the most prolific drug cheats in sports history? Call me like a river, damn.
Hearn made reference to Conte’s participation in the Balco trial that led to him being imprisoned. Conte has since become a major player in the sport, supplying nutrients to world champions like Devin Haney and Terence Crawford.
Defending his need for clarity from Hearn, Conte responded to the insult.
“So Eddie Hearn is now insulting instead of answering my questions. Once again, Eddie. Yes or no. Have any Matchroom boxers had an “atypical” drug test result in the past?
“If so, how many and why were they not revealed? Thank you.”
One fan responded with an “interesting question, to be fair” – Hearn didn’t give Conte the satisfaction of an answer.
Meanwhile, Benn returns on February 3 in Las Vegas for his second fight outside the UK since being denied a license to fight in his home country.
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