Conor Benn’s relationship with the British Boxing Board of Control seems beyond repair.
The fighter has found his professional career in limbo following two positive doping tests for the banned substance, Clomiphene. After a bitter end to 2022 with his fight with Chris Eubank Jr cancelled, Benn has spent the time since attempting to prove his innocence.
The organisation he’s trying to prove it to – the WBC – are in receipt of almost 300 pages from the fighter that he believes will prove his status as a clean athlete. This investigation is to determine whether or not Benn can fight under their banner and compete for their titles.
However, many believe Benn’s real drive should lie with proving to the UK’s boxing board that he should be allowed to fight on. Despite an ongoing investigation from the BBBofC, it seems that the sides have reached a stalemate.
Gareth A Davies reported that the Board’s General Secretary, Robert Smith, said that they hadn’t received the evidence that Benn is so adamant will clear his name.
“The information we require, we haven’t received. For whatever reason Mr Benn’s legal team have decided. They’ve sent a [270-page] document to the WBC, we have not seen that.”
As that quote did the rounds on social media, Benn sent a message to Smith and the board.
“Don’t worry Robert Smith BBBofC, you’ll be hearing from my lawyers!!”
Don’t worry Robert Smith @BBBofCuk you’ll be hearing from my lawyers!! https://t.co/ZfQruZb7nA
— Conor Nigel Benn (@ConorNigel) January 27, 2023
The nature of his statement would suggest animosity and an ugly legal battle ahead, but anybody still guessing where this situation is going next would be naive.
Unfortunately, the people who have been kept in the dark most of all are the fans.