Conor Benn CLEARED by UKAD over two failed drug tests

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Benn has not fought in over a year (Picture: Getty)

Conor Benn has announced he has been cleared by UKAD following their investigation into two positive drug tests ahead of his fight against Chris Eubank Jr last year.

The 26-year-old twice tested positive for banned substance clomifene in two separate Voluntary Anti-Doping Association [VADA] tests, leading to his grudge match with Eubank Jr last October being called off two days before fight night.

The welterweight voluntarily relinquished his British boxing licence in the aftermath as UKAD opened their investigation.

In February, Benn was cleared by the WBC after they found ‘no conclusive evidence’ he had intentionally taken a banned substance’ and reintroduced him to their rankings. It freed him up to return to the ring but his dispute with the British Boxing Board of Control and UKAD prevented him from competing on UK soil.

Benn has maintained his innocence throughout the saga, one of the biggest British boxing scandals in recent memory with Friday’s development meaning he is now free to fight in the UK once again.

In a statement released on Friday, Benn said: ‘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.

Conor Benn

Eubank Jr and Benn were set to collide last October (Picture: Getty)

‘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.’

Benn has not fought since April 2022. Talks to revive the Eubank Jr fight have taken place in recent months but the Brighton fighter is now booked in for a rematch against Liam Smith in September.


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