At this time last year, Conor Benn was considered to be one of the fastest-rising contenders in the welterweight division. After knocking out Chris van Heerden in the second round, Benn made plans to move up in weight and challenge Chris Eubank Jr. at a catchweight. Renewing a rivalry created by their fathers, Eubank Jr. and Benn were scheduled to meet in a highly anticipated showdown on October 8, 2022. Unfortunately, the clash never took place because Benn reportedly tested positive for clomiphene prior to the fight and the bout was canceled.
Benn and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, have spent the last few months fighting accusations that he is a dirty fighter. Earlier this month, the World Boxing Council reinstated the undefeated fighter after determining that his positive test could have been caused by a “highly-elevated consumption of eggs.”
“I’m pleased that the WBC has finally cleared my name, with no sanction or ban or any kind and a reinstatement in the world rankings. I can now put this behind me and resume my career immediately,” Benn said just a few days ago as the WBC ruling became public.
Less than a week later, Benn seemingly has taken an issue with the WBC’s determination. In his opinion, the WBC’s allusion to eggs has created more speculation around him.
“The manner in which I’ve been cleared has seemed to create further questions and add further fuel to baseless negative speculation,” he said.
“In my defense to the WBC and the 270-page report provided to them, at no point did I indicate that I failed any VADA tests because of contaminated eggs.”
Benn did not stop there. In a lengthy post to Twitter, he said that he has “serious concerns” about testing in the sport moving forward.
“I have never previously failed any kind of anti-doping test, and passed multiple tests with both Ukad (UK Anti-Doping) and Vada (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) in close proximity to the two tests that returned adverse findings,” Benn said.
“Everything that I have learned during this process from talking to many experts gives me serious concerns about the whole testing system in the sport.”
Benn has been cleared by the WBC, but he is still being investigated by UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control. As a result, he is unable to fight in the U.K. until further notice.
