Sunny Edwards is open to hearing more information about Conor Benn’s doping saga, but is currently finding it hard to believe that the testing was flawed or incorrect.
The IBF Flyweight World Champion, like most in the sport, has been following Benn’s story since last October when news broke of a banned substance in his system.
After months of claiming innocence, the undefeated welterweight was recently cleared of ‘intentional ingestion’ by a WBC verdict, but a British Boxing Board of Control investigation – which many fans regard as more important – still looms.
Edwards spoke to Boxing King Media about the situation, first admitting that he could understand the frustration on Benn’s side.
“My honest opinion – like I said, I don’t know. And like I said before, if I was innocent and sat there, I would be hella frustrated at all the opinions of everyone that I would be thinking don’t know anything about what they’re talking about.”
Edwards did go on to say, however, that he was going along with the ‘general consensus’ amongst fans that it was hard to take Benn’s word given the information that’s available.
“But, I just can’t see it in this case if I’m perfectly honest. It’s hard to go against two failed tests quite far apart. Because from what I know, which isn’t the most I’ll be real, but from what I know … it just seems all a bit suspicious. But, it’s not my position because I don’t know everything.
“I’m not that nosey, so I don’t go around having the conversations or trying to find out. I’m only exposed to what the average boxing fan is, and I think the general consensus is people don’t fully believe it. I think they believe that he’ll fight again, he’ll get off it. It looks like he’ll probably go to America or the Middle East.”
Benn is indeed set to return this summer, with applications for boxing licenses reportedly submitted or ready to be in the coming weeks. Talks with eight-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao, have commenced.