- Benn failed two drugs tests in 2022 and had his fight with Eubank Jr cancelled
- He has now claimed he has been ‘cleared of any wrongdoing’ and is free to fight
Conor Benn has had his doping suspension lifted in the latest twist in his two-year saga over two positive drugs tests.
The 28-year-old has been under a cloud since Mail Sport revealed in October 2022 that the banned substance clomifene had twice been detected in his samples.
But the National Anti-Doping Panel has now ruled in the boxer’s favour, saying they were ‘not comfortably satisfied’ that UK Anti-Doping had proved Benn committed a violation of the rules.
A UKAD statement on Wednesday highlighted that they have 21 days to consider an appeal.
It read: ‘UKAD can confirm that it received the decision of the independent National Anti-Doping Panel this afternoon. 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.
Conor Benn has claimed he’s been ‘cleared of any wrongdoing’ after failing two drugs tests
The failed tests led to his bout with Chris Eubank Jr being cancelled in 2022, but he has maintained his innocence over the last two years
Benn and Eubank Jr could finally face each other next year after going face to face in Saudi Arabia last month
Benn released a lengthy statement on Wednesday afternoon, insisting he is now ready to ‘close this chapter’ and move on with his career
‘UKAD will now carefully review the panel’s decision in accordance with its appeal rights under the UK Anti-Doping Rules.’
Benn said on social media: ‘I am thankful that after an incredibly challenging two years the National Anti-Doping Panel has finally cleared me of any wrongdoing.
‘This past 24 months has 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 so passionate about boxing and an advocate for clean sport, I hope now I have been cleared it can be understood why I have 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.’
Benn, who has had two low-key fights in the US since his failed tests after relinquishing his British Boxing Board of Control licence at the height of the situation, is targeting fights bouts with Gevonta Davis, Devin Haney and Chris Eubank Jr.
