Conor Benn has announced that he is set to return to the ring this Saturday after the controversy around his failed drug tests – but Carl Froch has said he needs to “take his punishment” before the issue can be fully resolved in the eyes of the public.
Benn last fought in April 2022 before failing two doping tests in the lead-up to his ill-fated fight with Chris Eubank Jr in October. He has maintained his innocence ever since, but was under provisional suspension in the UK for a brief period this year before it was lifted. The British Boxing Board of Control has since announce they will appeal that decision.
With no current limitations on his activity, he will be fighting in Florida on Saturday against Mexican Rodolfo Orozco at the super-welterweight limit of 154lbs.
Speaking to Talk Sport Boxing, Froch outlined his frustrations with the whole saga.
“It’s gone on for so long I’m almost switched off to it. He’s getting a lot of hate which I don’t like to see but he’s got this dark cloud over him cause he failed a drugs test. Great he’s moving on, but I want to know what’s going on with him getting a British Boxing Board of Control license.”
He then outlined the issue of Benn opting to fight abroad rather than sorting out a license to fight in the UK.
“It’s a shame. It puts a grey area on why he’s allowed to fight in Florida and not Britain. But I understand, it’s a technicality. But also you have to hold professional boxing as paramount importance in terms of how it looks to the armchair fan and if it just looks like they’re pulling one over on the Boxing Board or doing their own thing and sticking their middle finger up to the correct officials and it’s bad and it shouldn’t be happening.”
He finally called for Benn and his team to address the Board properly and take whatever punishment they are due before resuming Benn’s career.
“When are they going to sit in front of the board and take their punishment for the failed drugs test? Because my understanding is that’s what needs to happen before Connor Benn can move on with his professional career. Until then they’re just p**sing in the wind.”
News has emerged during the interview that negotiations between Benn and Chris Eubank Jr are underway, so it seems likely that will be the next fight for both men should Benn win at the weekend, but where that will be held remains unclear.
Promoter Eddie Hearn told Boxing Social that during the successful process of being licensed in America the British Board were consulted.