Johnny Nelson has weighed in on the latest developments in the Conor Benn saga, and he believes Benn cannot blame the public for still being sceptical of his innocence.
The 25 year old released a statement which seemed to indicate he was confident of clearing his name and returning to the ring next year.
However, Sky Sports pundit Nelson pointed out to Boxing Social that there had been no evidence presented in the public eye to override the damage caused by Benn’s failed drug tests.
“Nothing’s really come out yet. Conor’s hurt at the reaction of the general public, and I totally get that, but he’s asking people to believe something they don’t see.”
“So until they see it, you can’t really crucify people for believing what they see and not what you say.”
“He’ll be upset about the people who know him personally, he’ll be thinking ‘you should know me better than that.'”
Benn’s reputation plunged into disrepute earlier this autumn when his bout against Chris Eubank Jr was pulled during fight week after news broke the 25 year old had returned a positive VADA test.
The controversy heightened for Benn when news that he had failed a second VADA test over the summer broke and a potential link to Usman Sajjad – a doctor who had previously described in depth methods with which fighters could use banned substances and avoid detection – began to emerge. Benn has said that he only met the controversial Doctor for the first time in August.
‘The Destroyer’ has maintained his innocence throughout and promoter Eddie Hearn has always said he would return to the ring next summer in a “worst case scenario.”
It remains to be seen whether or not Benn will seek to reapply for a British Boxing Board of Control license, having relinquished his original license in the weeks following the collapse of the Eubank fight