The UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) have officially now charged boxer Conor Benn and confirmed his provisional suspension from the sport following failed drugs tests.
Reports from Boxing News earlier this week stated that Benn was provisionally suspended by UKAD on March 15 following two failed voluntary drugs tests before his high-profile catchweight fight against Chris Eubank Jr, which was cancelled in October after Benn tested positive for the prohibited substance clomifene in July and September.
The 26-year-old has since been reinstated to the WBC’s welterweight rankings after the organisation ruled that “there was no conclusive evidence that he engaged in intentional or knowing ingestion of clomifene” following a 270-page report provided to them by Benn’s team. While Benn - who has always denied intentionally or knowingly ingesting any banned substance - welcomed that reinstatement, he said the suggestion from the WBC that the “highly-elevated consumption of eggs” was a “reasonable explanation” for his failed test did him a "disservice".
The UKAD and British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) investigation has continued after that reinstatement and they were not initially sent that 270-page report, though Benn confirmed after responding to those intial suspension reports this week that he is now in touch with UKAD.
UKAD have now publicly confirmed Benn’s provisional suspension, releasing an official statement on Thursday which read: “Following reports in the media and comments made by professional boxer Mr Conor Benn on Tuesday 18 April 2023, and in exceptional circumstances, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) confirms that Mr Benn was notified and provisionally suspended by UKAD on 15 March 2023 in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules.
“Whilst provisionally suspended Mr Benn is prohibited from participating in any capacity (or assisting another Athlete in any capacity) in a Competition, Event or activity that is organised, convened, authorised or recognised by the British Boxing Board of Control or any other World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport.”
Another day, another attempt to create a headline with my name…
— Conor Nigel Benn (@ConorNigel) April 20, 2023
I am involved in a confidential procedure and I have respected my confidentiality obligations. Yet each day brings a new leak and a misrepresentation of what’s actually happening. 1/2
Confirming their decision to formally charge Benn with the alleged use of a prohibited substance, UKAD added: "UKAD can also confirm that on 3 April 2023 it charged Mr Benn with an Article 2.2 violation for the alleged Use of a Prohibited Substance (clomifene). The charge against Mr Benn is pending and will now follow the Results Management process in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules.”
If found guilty, Benn could face a suspension from boxing of up to two years. Responding to UKAD’s statement on Twitter, Benn wrote: “Another day, another attempt to create a headline with my name… I am involved in a confidential procedure and I have respected my confidentiality obligations. Yet each day brings a new leak and a misrepresentation of what’s actually happening.
“There is no news. Being “charged” is a start of a process by which an athlete has to defend themselves. I have not been sanctioned by anyone & I’m not banned from boxing. I remain free to fight in events that are not sanctioned by the BBBoC. I don’t even have a BBBoC licence.”
The provisional UKAD suspension does not stop Benn, who relinquished his British boxing license last year, from fighting overseas, with a comeback mooted for June 3 in Abu Dhabi. It had been reported that the Eubank Jr fight was close to being rescheduled, with Manny Pacquiao and Kell Brook also mentioned as potential opponents for his comeback.
The BBBoC cannot prevent Benn from boxing abroad under a different commission, but anyone involved in his bouts who does hold a British license would need permission or else run the risk of potential suspension.
