Conor Benn’s Temporary Doping Ban Overturned

The provisional suspension of boxer Conor Benn has been lifted, concluding a two-year dispute involving UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC). Benn’s last fight in the UK was in April 2022. Benn, a 28-year-old unbeaten welterweight with a 23-0 record, tested positive twice in 2022 for Clomifene, a banned women’s fertility drug, during voluntary drug tests. The suspension was withdrawn following a statement from Ukad, indicating that the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) was “not comfortably satisfied” that Ukad and the Board had demonstrated Benn committed an anti-doping rule violation. Benn stated that he has been “cleared of any wrongdoing” and has consistently been “an advocate for clean sport”. In a statement posted on X, Benn wrote, “This past 24 months has unquestionably been the toughest fight of my life,” adding, “[It has been} 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.” Ukad confirmed that the “charge against him has been consequently dismissed,” but also stated they are reviewing the decision “in accordance with its appeal rights.” Ukad has a 21-day period to lodge an appeal. BBC Sport has reached out to the BBBofC for a statement. Ukad further noted that it is “unable to publicly disclose” the complete NADP decision currently, pending Benn’s consent. A central point in Benn’s case was that the drug tests were administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) and funded by Benn’s promoters, Matchroom Boxing, rather than by Ukad. The NADP had previously lifted his ban in July 2023, but he faced another provisional suspension after appeals from Ukad and the BBBofC were upheld in May. Benn is now permitted to resume his boxing career in the UK and intends to reschedule a fight against Chris Eubank Jr. Both fighters’ camps are advocating for the contest, with a preference for the fight to occur in the UK instead of Saudi Arabia. Eubank and Benn had a confrontation in Saudi Arabia last month during the week preceding Artur Beterbiev’s win against Dmitry Bivol. Benn subsequently entered the ring with Eubank after Eubank defeated Kamil Szeremeta. Eddie Hearn, Benn’s promoter, stated his expectation for the fight to take place in early 2025. Hearn commented, “It’s the easiest fight in the world to promote,” adding, “The first time we sold out the highest ever gate at the O2 for boxing. It was sold so quickly I can’t even tell you. Now, with everything, its three or four times bigger.” He continued, “I think you’ll see it in February or March 2025. It can land in Riyadh but AJ-Dubois (Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois) was epic for British boxing and this will be too.” Hearn also remarked, “It’s always nice to have at least one stadium fight a year. To do that in the first quarter would be encouraging for what might follow.” Benn and Chris Eubank have maintained a verbal rivalry since their initial fight was called off. Benn’s boxing suspension began in March 2023, following two failed voluntary tests for clomifene prior to his cancelled match against fellow Briton Chris Eubank Jr. The two were slated to compete on 8 October 2022 at a catchweight of 157lb, approximately 30 years after their fathers, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr, competed. Eubank Sr emerged victorious in the 1990 fight, and the 1993 rematch concluded in a draw. Clomifene, which can elevate testosterone levels in men, is prohibited both in and out of competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada). Robert Smith, general secretary of the BBBofC, stated that Benn was provisionally prohibited from participating in any capacity in competitions organized, convened, authorized, or recognized by his organization. Benn has consistently maintained his innocence regarding intentional doping, attributing the findings to “contamination.” His defense suggested a fault with the Vada testing laboratory. An independent report from the WBC in February 2023 indicated that his failed drug test was not intentional and potentially resulted from a “highly-elevated consumption” of eggs, yet Benn remained under investigation by Ukad and the BBBofC. The NADP lifted the suspension last July, leading Benn to believe he was once again free to compete in the UK. Nevertheless, appeals lodged by Ukad and the BBBofC against that ruling were upheld in May. In an October interview with BBC Sport, promoter Hearn stated that Benn had been “penalised by his resistance to accept guilt” and suggested his fighter would have been competing in the UK earlier had he accepted a ban issued after the failed test. Hearn commented, “For me, knowing and believing he is innocent, to see what he has had to go through over the past two years is pretty brutal.” He added, “Unfortunately because of the way the process has played out, he’s ruffled feathers with the authorities and he hasn’t played ball. They would have liked to tidy the situation up quickly but he wanted to appeal, explore and provide his reasoning and evidence.” Benn has competed twice in the United States, most recently securing a unanimous points victory over Peter Dobson in a welterweight contest in Las Vegas in February. However, had he admitted guilt and accepted a ban in the UK, it is improbable that American athletic commissions—which typically align with sanctions imposed on fighters by their international counterparts—would have permitted Benn to compete in the United States.