Conor Benn’s Ring Return Announced, Amir Khan Wants Jake Paul

In today’s boxing news latest headlines, Conor Benn’s ring return has been announced on September 23rd, 2023, against Rodolfo Orozco in Orlando, Florida, much to the shock of the boxing community. 

The boxer is still currently under investigation following his two positive VADA tests for Clomiphene. Those findings resulted in the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) refusing to sanction his fight against Chris Eubank Jr.

Benn initially protested by claiming that there could have been issues with the testing procedure on the basis of contamination. However, those claims have yet to be proved to the public, leaving many questions unanswered.

In response, UKAD suspended the boxer in April, pending an investigation. Thereafter, the National Anti-Doping Panel overturned the suspension, as the British Boxing Board of Control and UKAD appealed.

Although Benn has the right to box, as of now, he must still undergo a hearing, leaving moral question marks over whether the fight should happen. And yet, Benn and Eddie Hearn did not appear fazed by that. 

Benn’s Return

“I am undefeated in the ring, and in spirit. A return on Saturday is a step closer to redemption. After that, I’m putting the 147-160 divisions on notice. You are looking at a determined man with a deep desire to beat them all,” Benn

“Conor Benn is back and I’m looking forward to seeing him pick up where he left off. He’s ready to go straight in for a big fight now but his trainer Tony Sims will be pleased to get him back sooner against a game opponent in Rodolfo Orozco,” Eddie Hearn

Benn’s Future

Nevertheless, there are still huge issues that need to be addressed moving forward. Benn has not shown any evidence to indicate that he had no Clomiphene in his system.

In addition, he has not shown anything to suggest that it was contamination by way of the food or drink that he had consumed. Therefore, the issue of strict liability still applies, meaning that Benn could face a ban.

Furthermore, the failure to provide an adequate explanation could result in other fighters claiming the same thing as Benn moving forward.

And at a time when more fighters are failing tests, as shown by Amir Khan, Dillian Whyte, Robert Helenius and Alycia Baumgardner, this is not a good look for the sport. 

Khan On Jake Paul

Meanwhile, Amir Khan has called for a fight against Jake Paul. The Brit’s last fight was against Kell Brook as the former junior lightweight champion was stopped in the sixth round.

Thereafter, Khan’s legacy came into question as he tested positive for Ostarine. That resulted in the boxer receiving a two-year ban.

Despite proving that he had not taken it intentionally, Khan was still given a long ban. The ban, though, was backdated to April 2022, meaning that the earliest Khan could fight would be in April 2024. 

Although he is currently not being allowed to box, Khan was eying a future fight with Paul. The latter recently bounced back from his loss against Tommy Fury to secure a win over Nate Diaz via a unanimous decision.

Although Diaz was making his boxing debut, Paul failed to stop him. And looking from afar, Khan was not that impressed with what he had seen as he fancied his chances. 

Khan’s Comments

“Jake Paul, he gets on my nerves a little bit. I think the way he conducts himself, the way he acts, and he’s just full of himself as well and he thinks he can fight, he’s only been boxing for like a year, so yeah, I’d love to fight him. He’s been very lucky though, he’s a little bit heavier than me but I don’t mind putting the pounds on just to beat him up,” Khan stated

A fight with Paul would generate a lot of interest. Khan does have a major following and has ultimately played a huge part in the resurgence of British boxing with his silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

And given that Paul is able to generate a huge following with his social media presence, there would be plenty of hype around this fight. So will it happen? Time will tell how it all plays out moving forward.