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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Liam Prenderville

Conor Benn issues statement after giving up boxing licence following failed drugs test

Conor Benn has again insisted he is clean despite relinquishing his boxing licence following his failed drugs test.

The Brit had been due to face off against Chris Eubank Jr earlier this month but the fight was postponed after Benn returned a test for banned substance clomifene.

The British Boxing Board of Control, who insisted the fight was prohibited from taking place, announced on Wednesday that Benn had given up his licence at a hearing last week. It was also confirmed a hearing over "allegations of misconduct" against Benn had been upheld, with the boxer's future in the ring remaining unclear.

A message on Benn's social media accounts responded to the statement, branding the BBBofC's hearing 'unfair and biased'. It is also claimed that Benn's licence had expired and he decided not to renew it as a result.

The British boxer, who maintains his innocence, also confirmed the misconduct allegations were not linked to him failing the random anti-doping test carried out by VADA.

Benn tested positive for the banned substance, fertility drug clomiphene, which increases testosterone levels in males.

Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn were due to go head-to-head (Getty Images)

The statement issued read: "Conor's focus at this time is solely on clearing his name. The Board, however, has made it extremely difficult for Conor to focus on doing that by its conduct of an unfair and biased procedure. In such circumstances, Conor decided not to renew his licence (which had lapsed).

"Conor told the Board that if it did not accept that his licence had lapsed, then he renounces it.

"He strongly refutes the allegation of misconduct (which for the avoidance of doubt is not in relation to the VADA issue) and firmly believes that an independent tribunal will reach a wholly different conclusion.

"At the appropriate time Conor will speak out on this and on the doping allegation, to the extent that he can whilst legal proceedings are ongoing. In the meantine, he reiterates, in no uncertain terms, that he is a clean athlete."

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