Conor Benn’s team has today attempted to clarify his relationship with controversial doctor Umar Sajjad, saying the pair first met in August – despite a social media post from July 8th from Sajjad naming Benn as one of his clients.
A statement to Sportsmail from Benn’s manager, Charlie Sims, stated Benn first met Sajjad in August and therefore in between his two positive VADA test for the banned substance Clomid. Sims also claimed Sajjad was only brought in to help with the weight making process.
‘We are aware of the post and so as to provide clarity the doctor contacted the trainer, who said they would like to have him involved with the team in relation to dealing with check weigh-ins for the next fight (at that point contemplated for September and later revised to October).
Conor met him for the first time as stated in August.”
Dr Sajjad has come under heavy scrutiny after footage emerged of him giving an in-depth description on how a boxer could hypothetically use performance enhancing drugs whilst avoiding detection from a doping agency.
Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn claimed in an interview earlier this month that ‘The Destroyer’ had only met Sajjad once and that the two did not have a close working relationship.
The British Boxing Board of Control released a statement last week detailing how Benn had made the decision to relinquish his licence before a scheduled hearing. This has received criticism from some quarters, with many of the belief this was done with the view of avoiding a hearing on the failed tests.
Benn maintains his innocence and his stance that he has always been a clean athlete.