EDDIE HEARN is now looking to the future and what fights he can make for Conor Benn.
Yesterday, the 28-year-old had his provisional suspension lifted having failed two voluntary drug tests in 2022 for the banned substance clomifene.
The National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) said it was “not comfortably satisfied” that UKAD had proved that Benn committed a doping offence. On social media Benn declared he had been cleared of any wrongdoing and spoke of his excitement about returning to the ring.
UKAD are reviewing the decision, however, and have 21 days to lodge an appeal.
Boxing News asked Hearn if he expected it to be an ongoing situation.
“I don’t know, honestly. Who knows? I feel like it’s pretty final but anyone’s capable of making any decision. For us now Conor will be here tomorrow and we will prepare to welcome him back to the big stage. British boxing has got a superstar on its hands. For me, outside of AJ and Fury, probably the biggest name, the biggest star in British boxing right now and can’t wait for the comeback.”
Benn will be in Philadelphia with Hearn during fight week for Matchroom’s latest Stateside promotion which lands at the Wells Fargo Centre. The venue hosts a card headlined by Jaron Ennis who looks to retain his IBF welterweight title against former opponent Karen Chukhudzhian.
It remains to be seen where and when Benn will fight next. If he is to fight again in Britain then the British Boxing Board of Control will need to reinstate his boxing licence allowing him to box in the UK once again.
There has been a mixed reaction to yesterday’s news with some welcoming Benn back while others still have questions and doubts. And despite the suspension being lifted Boxing News asked Hearn if there has been a scientific explanation as to why there were two positive tests?
“This was a full hearing regarding tests, regarding everything,” Hearn replied.
“The reason you guys have been asking us questions for the last three months and we haven’t been able to say anything is because this is how long this process has taken so the answer to your question is absolutely.”
When pressed on what that was he answered, “I can’t. You’ve just had a full hearing from the NADP. They were presented with all the facts, they ruled he’s been cleared of any wrongdoing.”
When Benn does return it will be big news and the expectation is he will face Chris Eubank Jr. Benn v Eubank was due to take place in October 2022 but the fight was called off after the drug test revelations. Hearn wouldn’t confirm one way or another who Benn will fight next but the welterweight wants to walk back into something significant.
“Conor’s instructions to us is, ‘I want the biggest fight possible,’” Hearn said.
“We know that financially, certainly from a profile perspective the Chris Eubank Jr fight is probably the biggest fight in British boxing outside of AJ against Fury. He can walk into any fight for a world championship at 147. Stanionis, Barrios, Norman, maybe Boots. He can have a top 15 fight at 147, I don’t see that. I think he’s going to want to come back into a massive fight.
“It’s just exciting. We’ve got so many options right now and we’ve got to make sure we make the right one.”