Conor Benn’s Boxing Career Is At A Crossroads

Eddie Hearn expects Conor Benn’s future to become clearer in October as the boxer currently serves a UKAD suspension. 

Benn’s boxing career has suffered since his failed VADA tests for Clomiphene. The substance is banned as it is known for concealing PED usage. Benn maintained that he was innocent, as he suggested there could be contamination. However, that was never proved as UKAD suspended Benn. The Chris Eubank Jr. fight was called off. The National Anti-Doping Agency then lifted Benn’s suspension. However, reports indicated this was due to jurisdiction.

There were suggestions that UKAD could not enforce VADA findings, rather than Benn proving he had no Clomiphene. That means Benn could box outside the UK, as he beat Rodolfo Orozco and Peter Dobson in the US. The performances were far from impressive, as he won unanimous decisions.

Hearn On Benn

There has been a lack of knockout power since the failed tests came under scrutiny, although Benn’s camp will argue that he is working his way back from a tough period. UKAD reinstated Benn’s suspension, leaving the boxer with a fight to prove his case. Hearn expects further developments in October. 

“Conor Benn’s return is going to be massive because when you talk about profile, outside AJ [Joshua] and Fury, Conor Benn’s profile is bigger than all of them. We’ll know more early October how that will play out. We’ve had a lot of questions asking why doesn’t he just take a two-year ban — the test was in June 2022. But to Conor’s detriment he’s never wanted to concede a ban because he believes in his innocence. He’s never wanted to do a deal, and it has cost him time,” Hearn said 

Benn’s problem is that his standing has dropped massively amongst British fans. There is a perception that Benn did not cooperate with the authorities and be more transparent than he should have been. The boxer’s notorious interview with Piers Morgan did not go well since Benn failed to prove contamination. In contrast with other boxers like Ryan Garcia, Benn has handled it badly. Garcia has received a year ban, which, in reality, is simply how long some boxers fight each year.

Benn’s Options

He took the ban and will now return from April 2025 onwards. Benn has wasted the prime years of his career, losing a massive amount of money but also staining his reputation. The Chris Eubank Jr. fight is unlikely unless Benn takes less favorable terms. Eubank Jr. has been linked with the Billy Joe Saunders rematch, which may be bigger and more profitable. While Benn wants the big names, his resume does not suggest he has earned those fights. But Hearn hopes to make the biggest fights out there for him. 

“He’s had these couple of little run outs [in America] that are a bit of a waste of time for him. He wants to dive in – into the biggest fight possible – and that fight is Eubank. I won’t hold my breath [that it happens], but what I will guarantee is when it’s resolved, he will be in the biggest fight I can possibly make,” Hearn stated 

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