Conor Benn Cleared By UKAD?

Conor Benn Cleared By UKAD?

After ten months, the long-running and seemingly never-ending Conor Benn UKAD saga looks to be finally over.

Today Benn released the following 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.”

Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn has stated that Benn will now apply to have his British Boxing Board of Control licence reinstated and will target a big fight in December.

Following the statement from Benn, UKAD released their own 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.”

The British Boxing Board of Control also issued theirs own statement:

The British Boxing Board of Control is aware that Conor Benn issued a public statement today, 28^th July 2023, in relation to proceedings between UK Anti-Doping and him. The BBBofC refers to the statement published in response by UKAD at Statement from UK Anti-Doping on Conor Benn VADA test | UK Anti-Doping (ukad.org.uk).

The BBBofC will provide a further statement if and when able to do so. All enquiries regarding this matter should be directed to UK Anti-Doping.