Conor Benn’s Suspension Lifted, But Questions Remain

November 9, 2024

3 weeks

Conor Benn’s Suspension Lifted, But Questions Remain

The National Anti-Doping Agency may have lifted Conor Benn’s suspension, but many unanswered questions remain.

UKAD suspended the British boxer after he failed VADA tests for Clomiphene. The news prevented his fight with Chris Eubank Jr. from going ahead. Benn was then involved in a legal battle that has lasted for at least two years as he sought to prove his innocence. The National Anti-Doping Agency recently revealed that the suspension had been removed. Benn then indicated on his social media that he had been cleared. However, there are still many unanswered questions.

Benn’s Case

“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,” Conor Benn

“The Panel concluded that it was ‘not comfortably satisfied’ that UKAD had proved that Mr Benn had committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation for the use of Clomiphene. The provisional suspension previously in place has been lifted and the charge against him has been consequently dismissed,” UKAD spokesperson

UKAD still has the right to appeal the decision. They have 21 days from this decision to file an appeal. UKAD has also not given a formal statement yet, meaning that boxing fans have been left none the wiser. The decision by the National Anti-Doping Agency has not satisfied fans over the following: Benn had Clomiphene in his system. According to strict liability, boxers should receive a ban for having substances in their body. Ryan Garcia received a year ban when he failed VADA tests for Ostarine. His win over Devin Haney became a no-contest.

The boxer tried his best to argue that he did not take anything intentionally while stating that the amount in his system was insufficient to enhance performance. Benn initially argued that it could be a case of contamination, but so far, nothing indicates that he has proven this. Meanwhile, Benn still has to apply for his British Boxing Board of Control license. He was not allowed to box in the UK as he fought overseas. He beat Rodolfo Orozco and Peter Dobson in unconvincing unanimous decision wins in the US.

This is vital since the only lucrative fight is against Chris Eubank Jr. But it is only a big fight in the UK. Benn has suffered a loss of earnings, meaning the fights cannot come quickly enough. But if Ben is cleared and there is nothing to indicate that there were any PEDS, then there are questions over the testing system. That then raises serious scrutiny over the testing rules. That needs to be fixed moving forward, especially in a sport where a fighter’s career can end with a single punch.