British Board provide update on the ongoing Conor Benn saga
The British Boxing Board of Control released the following statement on the afternoon of July 31st in regards to ongoing Conor Benn anti-doping situation, where the 26-year-old was recently cleared and permitted to fight again, but there are more complexities involving the Board and the National Anti-Doping Panel that will need to be assessed first.
The unbeaten welterweight tested positive for the banned PED clomifene in two seperate drugs tests last year, from samples taken on July 25 and September 1, 2022.
Full statement below:
UKAD v CONOR BENN
The British Boxing Board of Control (‘BBBofC’) is aware that Mr. Benn and UK Anti-Doping (‘UKAD’) have provided public comment in relation to confidential proceedings before the independent National Anti-Doping Panel.
The BBBofC is not able to comment on the proceedings between UKAD and Mr. Benn due to confidentiality restrictions. We refer to the statement issued by UK Anti-Doping found at Statement from UK Anti-Doping on Conor Benn VADA test | UK Anti-Doping (ukad.org.uk).
As set out therein, we wish to reconfirm that the UK Anti-Doping Rules (“Rules”) which apply to those proceedings provide all relevant parties, including the BBBofC, with a right of appeal.
The BBBofC takes all anti-doping matters extremely seriously and is considering the exercise of its rights pursuant to the Rules.
Further comment will not be provided pending conclusion of the UKAD process in full due to the confidentiality restrictions in place.
All enquiries should be directed to UKAD, as the body responsible for the enforcement of the Rules.
What's the latest?
On Friday, UKAD released their statement clearing Benn over his two positive VADA drugs tests before the cancelled Chris Eubank Jr fight last year, so, as of right now, he is free to fight in the UK once again.
The unbeaten star from Essex, known as 'The Destroyer', always protested his innocence vehemently and initially argued that lab contaminations were the cause, then an independant investigation by the WBC (World Boxing Council) resulted in an elevated consuption of contanimated eggs as the explanation, which Benn refuted.
UKAD's statement:
“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.”
Benn's statement:
“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.
“After a hearing with the National Anti-Doping Panel and UKAD, I have now been vindicated for the second time.
“Hopefully the public and various members of the media can now understand why I have maintained my innocence so strongly all the way through.
“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 can imagine the last 10 months have weighed heavily on me and I am anxious that if this happened to me it could potentially happen to any honest, dedicated and clean 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 strength of all this support have I been able to continue during this challenging 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.”
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