After over two years of controversy, reports and bans, Conor Benn has announced he is fully ‘free to fight.’
The 28-year-old undefeated welterweight was scheduled to face Chris Eubank Jr in October of 2022 before news broke during fight week that he had failed a doping test earlier in the year. It was later confirmed to be one of two failed tests for the banned substance clomifene.
Benn gave up his British Boxing license and was unable to fight on UK shores thereafter. He has competed twice in the interim overseas, but his ban, previously lifted by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel, was reintroduced following an appeal by the British Boxing Board of Control and the UK Anti-Doping Agency.
He has now announced on social media that the process is finally complete.
“I am thankful that after an incredibly challenging 2 years the National Anti-Doping Panel has today 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.
I would like to thank my fans that have stood by me, your support has never and will never go unnoticed, and of course my friends and family, all of whom have displayed an unwavering belief in me. Only with the strength of all this support have I made it through. I would also like to thank Matchroom and Everlast as their steadfast support ensured that I could see the process through to a full conclusion.
I have stayed disciplined and focused despite the challenges faced which is a testament to my desire to be great.I’m relieved to finally close this chapter and am excited to get back in the ring to realise my ultimate potential!
Who wants it next!?”
Benn has been strongly linked back to the fight that started it all – Chris Eubank Jr.
