Conor Benn set for boxing return after drug test claim and has already named hit list, including KO artist Gervonta Davis
Conor Benn claims he has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the National Anti-Doping Panel after his failed drug test before his cancelled fight with Chris Eubank Jr. Benn failed two drug tests for the banned substance Clomifene in the lead-up to his grudge match with Eubank Jr in 2022. Benn hasn’t fought in the UK since 2022 but will hope he is a step closerEd Mulholland/Matchroom But he has released a statement today revealing his two-year drug-testing nightmare is over. “I am thankful that after an incredibly challenging 2 years the National Anti-Doping Panel has today finally cleared me of any wrongdoing,” he wrote on X. “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 last fought in February against Peter Dobson under a US boxing license after his provisional suspension with the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) was briefly lifted last July by the NADP. Benn has laid out his four-fight hit list, which includes a fight with Eubank Jr and DavisMark Robinson/Matchroom However, the BBBofC lodged an appeal to have the ban reinstated, but Benn claims the NADP have found him to be innocent again. To fight again in the UK, which he hasn’t done until 2022, the BBBofC will need to grant him a licence. The board have been contacted for comment but has not reacted to the news at the time of writing. Benn, in the meantime, has laid out the four fights he wants to have when he eventually steps through the ropes again. Knockout artist Gervonta Davis is among them, as is Eubank Jr, Devin Haney and Errol Spence Jr. Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn followed up with a statement of his own reading: “After a horrendous two Years and a full hearing, so happy Conor has finally be cleared of any wrongdoing by the NADP. Get ready for one hell of a come back!” UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), who carried out pre-fight drug tests which Benn passed, have confirmed that the NADP decided to dismiss the charge against Benn as they were not ‘comfortably satisfied with UKAD’s case. They have 21 days to lodge another appeal if they so wish. The drug testing body that Benn failed his two drug tests with was the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA).
Conor Benn claims he has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the National Anti-Doping Panel after his failed drug test before his cancelled fight with Chris Eubank Jr.
Benn failed two drug tests for the banned substance Clomifene in the lead-up to his grudge match with Eubank Jr in 2022.
But he has released a statement today revealing his two-year drug-testing nightmare is over.
“I am thankful that after an incredibly challenging 2 years the National Anti-Doping Panel has today finally cleared me of any wrongdoing,” he wrote on X.
“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 last fought in February against Peter Dobson under a US boxing license after his provisional suspension with the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) was briefly lifted last July by the NADP.
However, the BBBofC lodged an appeal to have the ban reinstated, but Benn claims the NADP have found him to be innocent again.
To fight again in the UK, which he hasn’t done until 2022, the BBBofC will need to grant him a licence.
The board have been contacted for comment but has not reacted to the news at the time of writing.
Benn, in the meantime, has laid out the four fights he wants to have when he eventually steps through the ropes again.
Knockout artist Gervonta Davis is among them, as is Eubank Jr, Devin Haney and Errol Spence Jr.
Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn followed up with a statement of his own reading: “After a horrendous two Years and a full hearing, so happy Conor has finally be cleared of any wrongdoing by the NADP. Get ready for one hell of a come back!”
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), who carried out pre-fight drug tests which Benn passed, have confirmed that the NADP decided to dismiss the charge against Benn as they were not ‘comfortably satisfied with UKAD’s case.
They have 21 days to lodge another appeal if they so wish.
The drug testing body that Benn failed his two drug tests with was the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA).
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