Conor Benn has heartbreakingly revealed he was a 'quarter of the man he is today' after failing two drug tests back in 2022, with the boxing star set to finally face Chris Eubank Jr next Saturday.
The two men had first been primed to do battle three years ago but, after testing positive for clomifene, Benn was penalised.
The boxing star was eventually able to clear his name, having always protested his innocence.
But Benn, speaking to the Daily Mail, has now opened up on the emotional toll the scandal had on him - with the 28-year-old admitting he was reduced to a shadow of his usual self.
Conor Benn has heartbreakingly revealed he was a 'quarter of the man he is today' after failing two drug tests back in 2022, with the boxing star set to finally face Chris Eubank Jr next Saturday
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"There were days I'd show up to the gym and just cry," he admitted.
"I'd be sobbing in the car on the way there, thinking, how am I supposed to live like this? I didn't want to be here — that's the sad truth.
"I was shattered into a million pieces, half the man — no, a quarter of the man — you see today. I couldn't cope. I couldn't face reality.
"I was in self-destruct mode."
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Benn has still faced scrutiny, despite clearing his name.
His rivalry with Eubank Jr is an explosive one, especially given February's egg-throwing incident that resulted in Benn being covered in yolk.
Benn insists he's not bothered by his critics, insisting they don't have an impact on how he sees himself.
"I'm very misunderstood, but also don't give a s**t, you know," he continued.
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Conor Benn and Nigel Benn have faced some tough times ahead of the boxing star's fight with Chris Eubank Jr
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"So for me, it's just like I am what I am. Imagine living in a world where you can't be you in fear of somebody not liking you, I'd hate to live in that world."
Benn's father, Nigel, was a boxer himself.
He has suffered due to his son's own issues, with Benn confessing that his old man was 'broken' due to the doping scandal.
"Me and my dad were going through it together," he said.
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"But in truth, he couldn't support me. I couldn't support him. He was broken. Every day we would just walk in the door and just sob.
"I would cry like a baby on his shoulder. A grown man, crying on his father's shoulder.
"We looked like two little kids, just sobbing uncontrollably together.
"While I was crying on his shoulder I just kept saying I am so sorry Dad this is happening.
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn have a deep hatred for one another that goes back generationsPA"I've never seen my dad in such a bad way. It took a real toll on him. On all of us.
"Tony, Eddie [Hearn] — everyone around me caught the heat. It hit all of us hard."
