Conor Benn has responded to reports of being suspended by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) by insisting he is "free to fight outside of the UK".
Benn, 26, was scheduled to fight Chris Eubank Jr last October but the bout was cancelled after he returned two positive drug tests for the banned substance clomifene. The son-of-a-legend then gave up his boxing licence and appealed the decision, with the World Boxing Council (WBC) later clearing him of any international doping violation after he handed in a 270-page document to the organisation.
Despite the WBC clearing Benn to fight, UKAD has provisionally suspended the Brit, according to both the Mail and Boxing News. Benn's promoter, Eddie Hearn responded to the news by stating he was "unaware" the matter has escalated to a suspension, also confirming Benn's legal team has shared evidence with UKAD related to his defence.
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Benn has since issued a statement about the news in which he wrote: "I can't comment on anything to do with UKAD, other than to say that I am in touch with them. Someone at the BBBoC or UKAD obviously wanted to create a headline unlike the [Amir] Khan case where it was kept quiet for 14 months, but this nothing new. I remain free to fight outside of the UK."
'The Destroyer' was referring to British boxing legend Khan's recent drug test failure for the banned substance ostarine in his statement. Khan was slapped with a two-year ban but has denied any wrongdoing after he was notified of his test failure and Benn has seemingly criticised both the BBBoC and UKAD for news of Khan's test failure coming over a year on from his fight against Kell Brook.
Benn has been linked to a fight against former eight-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao next, which would have to take place overseas as Benn is yet to regain his British Boxing Board of Control licence. Pacquiao's advisor Sean Gibbons has confirmed talks of the fight as he told Planet Sport: "Will he [Pacquiao] fight this year? You know what, Senator Manny Pacquiao has agreed to fight Conor Benn.
"Do me a favour, call Eddie Hearn. The ball is in his court. Senator Manny Pacquiao is happy to fight Conor Benn. Agreed - please call Eddie Hearn. You know, we are looking at a few different options. We are looking at things, we are trying to figure some stuff out so I hope something happens."
