Chris Eubank Jr. Comes in Support of Rival Liam Smith on ‘Fraud’ Artur Beterbiev’s VADA Testing Fiasco; Demands Lifetime Bans

Published 01/19/2024, 2:24 PM EST

Rivalries aside, Chris Eubank Jr. steps into a contentious debate, aligning with Liam Smith. Why would a boxer side with a competitor? The reason—a doping dispute that’s sending shockwaves through the sport. Artur Beterbiev’s victory over Callum Smith is shadowed by doubt, raising eyebrows and questions.

Smith’s reaction has stirred the pot, but what of Eubank’s stance? Oddly enough, it’s a call for unity in the face of a “fraud” as he calls it. This saga isn’t just about punches thrown in the ring; it’s about the integrity of boxing itself. What’s the truth behind the gloves?

A united front against Artur Beterbiev

Taking to Twitter, Liam Smith cast a spotlight on a controversial VADA letter, revealing an atypical finding in Artur Beterbiev’s drug test. His tweet showcased the document, which detailed the detection of 5b-androstanediol, an unusual result begging further scrutiny. Alongside the image, Smith’s caption was defiant yet factual, stating, “Just for the clowns saying I’m bitter or making excuses, my brother lost to a Great fighter at the Elite level. All I’m doing is stating facts.”

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Me & Liam ain’t mates by any means but I gota back him up on this one… it’s such a f***ing joke how many of these FRAUD fighters are getting popped for PED’s & are still able to enter a ring & fight. Lifetime bans for these scumbags should be mandatory #KeepBoxingClean https://t.co/OObZDZtapJ
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) January 19, 2024

In response, Chris Eubank Jr. threw his weight behind Smith’s disclosure. “Me & Liam ain’t mates by any means but I gotta back him up on this one,” he declared. The sharp critique continued, “It’s such a f***ing joke how many of these FRAUD fighters are getting popped for PED’s & are still able to enter a ring & fight.” Eubank Jr’s fiery commentary concluded with a stern call for reform, “Lifetime bans for these scumbags should be mandatory #KeepBoxingClean.”

These allegations have ignited a firestorm in the boxing community. The drama unfolds as two well-known figures in boxing converge over a shared disdain for doping, propelling the discourse into the public domain with vigor and calling for a harsher crackdown on the sport’s integrity.

What is Beterbiev’s stand on this saga?

Is Artur Beterbiev clean?

In the face of the allegations before their fight, Artur Beterbiev stood his ground, staunchly denying any wrongdoing. “I am a clean athlete,” Beterbiev asserted, distancing himself from the doping accusations that have since tainted his recent victory. His statement was emphatic, underlining his untarnished history with VADA. “I have never tested positive for a banned substance throughout my career.”

Artur Beterbiev statement: “It has come to my attention that Callum Smith intends to disseminate misleading information about my VADA testing for this fight. Let me be clear now – I am a clean athlete. I have never tested positive for a banned substance throughout my career. Any…
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) January 11, 2024

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The light heavyweight champion’s rebuke is clear-cut, as he cautioned that any insinuations to the contrary would cross into slanderous territory. “Any attempt to imply otherwise, through innuendo or suggestion, is slanderous and libelous,” he warned. Amidst the controversy, the match proceeded as planned, leaving the sports community abuzz with speculation and debate.

Callum Smith’s Elder Brother Couldn’t Understand How Artur Beterbiev Is ‘Getting Better at 39’

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Ultimately, the court of public opinion will weigh in on this high-stakes bout of credibility. What is your stance on this issue? Does Beterbiev’s clean history with VADA tip the scales in his favor, or do the Smiths’ concerns raise valid questions about the sanctity of the sport?

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Written by:

"Boxing is the ultimate challenge. There's nothing that can compare to testing yourself the way you do every time you step in the ring," said Sugar Ray Leonard. Growing up engrossed in sports, it was the compelling narrative of the Mike Tyson documentary that first pulled me into the magnetic world of boxing.

Edited by:

Gokul Pillai

Chris Eubank Jr. Comes in Support of Rival Liam Smith on ‘Fraud’ Artur Beterbiev’s VADA Testing Fiasco; Demands Lifetime Bans

A united front against Artur Beterbiev

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Is Artur Beterbiev clean?