Conor Benn has responded to reports that he has been provisionally suspended by UKAD.
The undefeated welterweight’s career has been in limbo since the news of two failed drugs tests for Wold Anti-Doping Agency banned substance, Clomiphene.
Benn has maintained his innocence since then. The WBC – who were involved in the first failed test through their Clean Boxing Programme – have returned him to their rankings following an investigation.
However, he has not been as cooperative with the British Boxing Board of Control, who are yet to receive the same evidence.
Boxing News reported that Benn had been ‘provisionally suspended’ by UKAD on March 15, and went on to highlight that any trainer, opponent or promoter would risk losing their British license should they be involved in an event with him in his current status.
Whilst UKAD didn’t administer either of the failed tests, it’s been reported that they have been in dialogue with the agency that did – VADA.
Benn responded to the news via Twitter, bringing up the recent case of Amir Khan, who failed a post-fight doping test after his bout with Kell Brook in February of 2022.
An official verdict – a two year ban from all sports – was only given recently, and fans and fighters, including Brook, were made aware over a year on from the test.
It’s something Benn, 26, feels is an example of bias.
“I can’t comment on anything to do with UKAD other than to say that I am in touch with them. Someone at the BBBofC or UKAD obviously wanted to create a headline unlike the Khan case where it was kept quiet for 14 months but this is nothing new. I remain free to fight outside the UK.”
I can't comment on anything to do with UKAD other than to say that I am in touch with them. Someone at the BBBoC or UKAD obviously wanted to create a headline unlike the Khan case where it was kept quiet for 14 months but this is nothing new. I remain free to fight outside the UK
— Conor Nigel Benn (@ConorNigel) April 18, 2023
He went on to brand the news ‘politics.’
This isn’t even about my innocence anymore, it’s all politics. You can’t keep a good man down.
— Conor Nigel Benn (@ConorNigel) April 18, 2023
Benn is correct in that he may still be able to fight elsewhere, but a suspension from a governing body could make it more difficult to be licensed. Along with his promoter, Eddie Hearn, the plan is to box him in either the Middle East or America in early June.
Who’ll be in the other corner seemingly hasn’t been signed yet, with Manny Pacquiao the most discussed. Chris Eubank Jr held that position until recently, but will now reportedly be pursuing a rematch with Liam Smith.
As for the British Board and UKAD, it seems that tensions with Benn are still high and neither side are willing to yield.