Bellew launches tirade at drugs cheats and pledges action with a ‘bat’

Tony Bellew has made it be known that he doesn’t like drugs cheats. The Liverpudlian claims he would ‘even the score’ with a ‘bat’ if he found out that a fighter had ever failed a test for performing enhancing drugs after fighting him.

Bellew’s comments come after a torrid month for British boxing and anti-doping. Ahead of the much-anticipated October 8 clash between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr, it was revealed that Benn had failed a sample A VADA drugs test.

Benn returned adverse findings for trace amounts of the fertility drug clomifene – which can double as a testosterone booster – placing the fight in jeopardy. Despite the British Boxing Board of Control’s prohibition of the contest, promoters Eddie Hearn and Kalle Sauerland attempted to overturn the result via a meeting attended by lawyers.

However, the board doubled down on its stance and the fight was cancelled. Since then, Benn has failed a second drugs test and is now facing the potential of a four-year ban.

“I’m also not stupid enough to condemn someone before I hear everything … I’ve heard certain things before, I’ve heard fighters failing drugs tests and I didn’t condemn them.

“I remember waiting to find out about Canelo Álvarez before I said what I said about him. I remember [waiting to speak on] Alexander Povetkin before I found out what I found out about him.”

“I’d wait and see what’s what and find out what the real true facts are before you hear from this board, or that commission – because they’ve all got something to lose, and the credibility with all of them is at stake here.”

He continued: “I’d love to hope and wish that Conor Benn is innocent, I really do. Because what will be really sad is this kid’s career has been tarnished now permanently for life and we don’t know the exact damages and the things but once again that’s me being is it or isn’t it.”