Benn ‘cleared by UKAD’ after investigation into failed medicine exams
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onor Benn says he has been cleared by the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) and the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP), leaving him free to renew boxing within the UK.
In an announcement revealed by way of social media on Friday, the British welterweight mentioned he had been “vindicated for the second time” with the UKAD course of now mentioned to be formally at an finish.
Benn’s promising profession had floor to a halt within the aftermath of two failed medicine exams that pressured the cancellation of his blockbuster catchweight struggle with rival Chris Eubank Jr, which was scheduled to happen at London’s O2 Arena final October.
Benn examined constructive for the feminine fertility drug clomifene, a substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) banned listing which might enhance testosterone ranges in males, in voluntary anti-doping (VADA) exams undertaken in July and September final yr, however has at all times protested his innocence and denied any wrongdoing.
Now he says he has been cleared after a UKAD and NADP listening to, stating that the final 12 months had been the “year from hell”.
“Today marks the end of the of a gruelling 10 month process, during which the WBC had already decided that I was innocent of any wrongdoing,” Benn wrote on Twitter.
“After a hearing with the National Anti-Doping Panel and UKAD, I have now been vindicated for the second time.
“Hopefully the general public and numerous members of the media can now perceive why I’ve maintained my innocence so strongly throughout.
“The UKAD process has now formally ended, and I remain free to fight. Naturally I am pleased that I can now put this behind me once and for all.
“As you’ll be able to think about the final 10 months have weighed closely on me and I’m anxious that if this occurred to me it might probably occur to any trustworthy, devoted and clear athlete like me.
“I would like to thank my fans that have kept the faith when many have turned against me, as well as my team, Matchroom, my friends and family, sponsors and also my legal team, all of whom have shared a belief in me and a commitment to ensuring the correct result being obtained and justice being achieved.
“Only with the power of all this assist have I been in a position to proceed throughout this difficult time.
“I now intend to put this matter behind me and look forward. Which begins with fighting as soon as possible so I can remind everyone who I am.”
Alongside the assertion, he wrote: “You may see me Struggle but you will never see me Quit!! With hardship comes ease, now it’s time to remind everyone WHO I AM!!”
After Benn’s tweet on Friday, Standard Sport contacted UKAD for remark. A spokesperson for the organisation mentioned in an announcement: “In April 2023 UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) took the exceptional step of publicly disclosing details of Mr Conor Benn’s provisional suspension and charge following reports from the media and comments made by Mr Benn himself. UKAD’s statement also confirmed that the case would follow the Results Management process in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules.
“UKAD notes that Mr Benn has made further public comments today regarding proceedings before the independent National Anti-Doping Panel. UKAD can confirm Mr Benn is no longer provisionally suspended under the UK Anti-Doping Rules.
“The UK Anti-Doping Rules detail limited circumstances in which UKAD is able to make public disclosures about ongoing cases. They also set out a clear process within which cases can be heard and decisions can be handed down by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel.
“Where case decisions are handed down by a panel, the Rules provide all relevant parties with a right of appeal. Under the Rules, UKAD has 21 days from the date of receipt of a decision to file any appeal. UKAD carefully reviews all decisions in its cases before deciding whether to exercise its right of appeal.
“UKAD is not able to make any further public disclosures in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules at this time.”
Speaking via Matchroom Boxing’s official YouTube channel, Benn’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, stated that he expected him to reapply for his license from the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC), which he relinquished after the cancellation of his fight with Eubank Jr.
Hearn is plotting Benn’s comeback fight for September and then targeting a high-profile contest to take place in December. Despite having been free to fight overseas during UKAD’s investigation, Benn’s last fight remains his second-round stoppage of South Africa’s former IBO welterweight world champion Chris van Heerden at the Manchester Arena in April 2022.
“Conor Benn has been officially cleared by UKAD and cleared to box in the UK, which is a massive moment for him, for us,” Hearn mentioned.
“It’s been a brutal, painful yr of labor and perception and choices to again a person that we believed in. And I am unable to wait to see him struggle.
“The nightmare is over and he can get back to his career. I hope everybody now can support the fact that he’s gone through absolutely every process that was ever asked of him and he’s done it’s all, it’s over.
“We look ahead to return within the UK. Absolutely [he expects him to reapply for his BBBofC licence], that is the entire purpose we went via this course of.
“Now we sit down with Conor and we look at the plan. Maybe he has a slightly smaller fight first, he’s been out of the ring for a year-and-a-half, but he wants the big fights ASAP.
“We’ll resolve what’s proper for him. I like him coming again and having a struggle possibly in September, after which going into an enormous struggle in December.
“Right now Conor Benn sits before us – love him, hate him, I couldn’t give a monkeys – he’s one of the biggest names in world boxing and he’s ready to light up the division.”