Conor Benn has been reinstated to the WBC world rankings following their conclusion that there was no evidence of ‘intentional ingestion’ regarding a failed doping test.
Benn tested positive for Clomiphene as part of the sanctioning body’s Clean Boxing Program.
He later tested positive for the same substance in an independent Voluntary Anti-Doping check, sparking the cancellation of his much-hyped bout with Chris Eubank Jr.
After an investigation into the case, the WBC concluded that Benn’s highly elevated consumption of eggs around the time of the test was a reasonable explanation for the testosterone booster.
Despite being unhappy with the reasoning behind their verdict and still adamant that the substance wasn’t in his system at all, he’s cleared by the WBC and re-enters the world welterweight rankings at number 7.
The 26-year-old finds himself behind the likes of Keith Thurman, Yordenis Ugas, and Mario Barrios, whilst he’s ahead of David Avanesyan, world title challenger and former European champion.
WBC Champion, Errol Spence Jr, has been an outspoken critic of Benn’s throughout the doping saga.
Before the scandal, the undefeated Brit was in the top 5 for all major sanctioning bodies. At the time of writing, he hasn’t been reintroduced anywhere else.
Despite a British Boxing Board of Control investigation still hanging over him, Benn is expected to return to the ring on June 3 in Abu Dhabi, with eight-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao, the frontrunner to be in the opposite corner.
Other potential opponents don’t feature in the rankings either.
Kell Brook is willing to come out of retirement to face Benn for the right price, and it’s expected that the Eubank Jr fight will be rescheduled in the future despite his recent loss to Liam Smith.