Conor Benn has received favorable news as ESPN reports that the United Kingdom’s National Anti-Doping Panel has lifted Benn’s suspension, which has been in place since he tested positive for a banned substance that ultimately nixed a late-2022 fight with Chris Eubank Jr.
Benn had tested dirty in two tests administered by VADA ahead of what was billed as a second generation showdown of British rivals Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn, but the fight never made it to the opening bell following the revelation of Benn’s positive results.
After two years of maintaining his innocence and continuing his career outside of the UK, the National Anti-Doping Panel (the country’s independent tribunal for handling doping disputes) has now lifted their ban on Benn by saying that UK Anti-Doping did not adequately prove their case against 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 clomifene. The provisional suspension previously in place has been lifted and the charge against him has been consequently dismissed,” said a UKAD spokesperson.
UKAD will now review their appeal rights, having 21 days in order to do so if they so choose.
Benn would today post a formal statement on X, which read in part:
“I am thankful that after an incredibly challenging 2 years the National Anti-Doping Panel has today finally cleared me of any wrongdoing.
“As someone who is 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.”
With Benn now having his suspension lifted, he’ll still need to get license from the British Boxing Board of Control before he makes his return to fighting on British soil, and a potential appeal by UKAD could potentially hold that part up a bit longer.
In the meanwhile signs appear to point towards an eventual re-staging of a fight between Benn and Eubank Jr, with there having been a conscious effort by Benn and his Matchroom promoter to build it back up in the media.
Benn last fought in a 12 round decision win over Peter Dobson in February, but has not looked particularly impressive against his last two unheralded opponents.