- The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed Mail Sport’s story that they won the appeal
- The boxer’s case remains before the independent National Anti-Doping Panel
- He has fought twice abroad since his two failed tests in 2022 came to light.
Conor Benn’s suspension for two positive drug tests has been reimposed, leaving even more doubt over his future.
The British Boxing Board of Control on Friday night confirmed Mail Sport’s March 26 story that they had won their appeal against the National Anti-Doping Panel’s decision last year to clear Benn to return to the ring.
In a statement, they said the 27-year-old is now “provisionally” unable to fight on any card that is “organized, convened, authorized or recognized by the BBBoC or any other sport that complies with the World Anti-Doping Code.”
The Board added: “Mr Benn’s case remains before the independent National Anti-Doping Panel and the case will now progress in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules.”
It marks a major setback for Benn, who has fought twice overseas since his two failed tests came to light in October 2022. Amid the lengthy legal drama to clear his name, Benn had been pushing for a fight with Manny Pacquiao this year. .
Conor Benn is suspended for two positive drug tests, leaving his future even more in doubt
A statement said Benn cannot “provisionally” fight on any card that is “organized, convened, authorized or recognized by the BBBoC or any other sport that complies with the World Anti-Doping Code.”
Benn, who has fought twice abroad since his two failed tests came to light, blamed accidental contamination for the discovery of clomiphene in two of his samples.
Benn, who has pointed to accidental contamination due to the discovery of clomiphene in two of his samples in 2022, has not appeared on a British network since April 2022.
The Board’s position is that he should not be licensed to fight here until he has been cleared by a definitive explanation of how the substance entered his system.
When the NADP opted last July to lift Benn’s initial suspension, the fighter announced the ruling as a “vindication” of his innocence, although sources at the time told Mail Sport that his hearing had not focused on an examination of The science.
Part of the argument deployed at the time by Benn’s legal team is believed to have delved into UK Anti-Doping’s right to decide on samples collected by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.