Conor Benn told he is NOT in clear over drugs ban despite boxer’s claim that he’s free to pursue Eubank Jr grudge fight
CONOR BENN has been warned he is not yet in the clear over his drugs ban — despite claims he is free to pursue a grudge fight with Chris Eubank Jr.
The Essex welterweight, 28, failed two tests before he was due to fight Eubank Jr in October 2022.
Benn, who tested positive for testosterone booster Clomifene, was cleared of intentional doping by the World Boxing Council in 2023.
Later that year the National Anti-Doping Panel also cleared him but UK Anti-Doping Panel successfully appealed that decision.
Benn yesterday claimed he has been cleared again and wrote: “I am thankful that after an incredibly challenging two years the National Anti-Doping Panel has today finally cleared me of any wrongdoing.
“The past 24 months have unquestionably been the toughest fight of my life.
“A rollercoaster period within which the WBC had already decided that I was innocent and the NADP decided in the first instance that there was no case to answer and I was free to fight.
“As someone who is passionate about boxing and an advocate for clean sport, I hope now that I have been cleared it can be understood why I maintained my innocence so strongly throughout.
“As a man of God, I bear no ill will toward UKAD or the British Boxing Board of Control.
“We have a shared ambition of a clean sport and I look forward to reconciling with the Board and moving forward together.”
The UKAD and the Board are now considering another appeal.
A UKAD statement read: “UKAD notes that Benn has made public comments today regarding the outcome of proceedings before the independent National Anti-Doping Panel.
“The Panel concluded that it was ‘not comfortably satisfied’ that UKAD had proved that Mr Benn had committed an anti-doping rule violation for the use of Clomifene.
“The provisional suspension previously in place has been lifted and the charge against him has been consequently dismissed.
“UKAD will now carefully review the Panel’s decision in accordance with its appeal rights under the UK Anti-Doping rules.”
Benn has had two low-profile bouts in America over the past 14 months but remained outlawed by the BBBC and has no UK licence.
Despite claims from Benn’s team they requested private meetings with the BBBC to address his situation, the Board will not share its evidence.
But Saudi Arabia’s new powerbroker, Turki Alalshikh, is keen on making the Eubank Jr fight — meeting with Benn and his legendary dad Nigel at a September film premiere.
The BBBC, who sanction most of the major shows in Riyadh, remain unwilling to licence the Ilford fighter.