The BBBofC has put itself into the position where it can no longer be taken seriously as a governing body after British fighter Chris Eubank Jr. was fined for apparent social media “misuse” after a hearing they held with the fighter earlier this month. The hearing stems from social media footage depicting Eubank using a sauna; a practice that is prohibited according to the BBBofC’s rules.
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) identified itself as an unserious and detrimental governing body after the latest decision saw them fine Chris Eubank Jr. (35-3, 25 KO’s) £10,000 for “misusing” social media after a hearing with the fighter confirmed he did not actually use sauna’s which are prohibited by the BBBofC from being utilized for weight cutting ― unlike what Eubank had previously implied on social media.
Notably, Eubank struggled to make the middleweight (160 lbs) weight limit of 160 pounds prior to his April 26th bout against Conor Benn. Though Eubank went on to win the fight by unanimous decision (UD), he would later be hospitalized, reportedly due to dehydration issues stemming from his efforts to cut weight for the fight according to his father, Chris Eubank Sr.
To add on top of the repercussions slammed onto Eubank, he was further reprimanded for coming in late during his official weigh-in for his bout against Benn.
According to Sky Sports, the Board’s Southern Area Council ― one of several regional governing bodies that operate under the authority of the BBBofC, deemed Eubank to have been in violation of Regulation 25 as depicted in the governing body’s official rules and regulations.
When examining Regulation 25, it notably does not specifically signify the “misuse” of social media as a transgression ― which in and of itself is a rather vague violation that does not align with the five parameters that constitutes as misconduct including:
- a breach of the BBBofC’s rules and regulations
- a failure to comply with an order made by the BBBofC or its regional bodies
- a failure to honor a contractual obligation
- an attempt to, directly or indirectly, induce the breaking of a contractual obligation
- incompetence
Chris Eubank Jr. using social media to arguably convince the public of the rigors of his weight cut, by depicting himself using sauna’s which has been confirmed to be false, struggles to meet the actual parameters of what is considered misconduct according to Regulation 25’s stipulations.
The recent fine for Eubank follows up the £100,000 fine the BBBofC imposed on Eubank after slapping Conor Benn (23-1, 14 KO’s) during one of their press conferences in March.
The Board’s handling of Eubank shows a clear disassociation with reality given the doping offenses Benn is well known for.
For roughly two years, the BBBofC attempted to hold Benn accountable but failed to achieve anything of note other than imposing two suspensions that Benn managed to overturn through appeals with the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) ― the UK’s independent anti-doping tribunal.
The BBBofC eventually opted not to follow up with seeking to persecute Benn after the NADP cleared him the second time.
Notably, Benn was not fined at any point during this instance, and even managed to fight twice following his failed drug test.
