Conor Benn & The Need For Closure

Conor Benn & The Need For Closure

For anyone who cares about the credibility of boxing, the last twelve months, and the seemingly never-ending Conor Benn story that surrounds his two failed VADA drug tests have been an utterly depressing period.

Nothing about the whole shameful episode should be celebrated. Although some of those who masquerade as journalists have been in full party mode since the inevitable announcement came that Benn would be fighting this weekend in Florida. Some who squat in the world of boxing media need to learn the difference between real journalism and being nothing more than a glorified cheerleader for your favourite promoter.

Benn is free to fight but cleared to fight and cleared of doping are two very different things. The National Anti-Doping Panel has lifted his suspension, although if the reason for the lifting of that suspension in July is because of a jurisdiction issue, which is what has been widely reported, then we still don’t know if Benn is a drug cheat or not. The initial WBC ruling told us very little. Strict liability was of little or no importance. And remember, even Benn at the time disagreed with their findings. For many, the jury is still very much out.

On Saturday night, he will return to the sport to fight the unknown Mexican Rodolfo Orozco. How can that possibly be right? Benn is of course, free to fight. But just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should. The whole sorry tale has highlighted everything that is wrong within the sport, specifically in the way it handles and deals with failed tests. The hope is that lessons are learned and quickly. The process needs tightening and maybe more importantly, simplifying. The fact that we are no nearer to getting the answers that we need after 12 long desperate months is beyond depressing.

The British Boxing Board of Control and UKAD are appealing the decision reached by the National Anti-Doping Panel. That process is currently ongoing with no firm date set for that hearing. In truth, it can’t come soon enough. We all need closure.

The fighter himself needs proper closure also. Without a definitive conclusion and full explanation of why he failed those two separate drug tests, Benn will likely spend the rest of his career under a very dark cloud. I have no axe to grind with Conor Benn, and I have every sympathy if he is, as he vigorously claims, an innocent man. We do have to remember Benn could be the victim in all this. All I want is the truth. At this moment in time, I believe we are still waiting for it.

Matt Christie, in his latest piece for Boxing News, probably sums it up best with the following words that finish his article:

‘The Conor Benn case long ago ceased to be about one man’s innocence or guilt. It’s become a symbol of the chaos behind the scenes, of the strings that can be pulled, and the lawlessness that must be addressed, not ignored.’

Christie is right on the money. From start to finish it has been a total embarrassment for the sport. An utter PR disaster, that thankfully has exposed many things and many individuals. The conduct of some within the sport has quite rightfully been brought into question, a shameful period that is hopefully drawing to some kind of conclusion. It can’t come quick enough.

The search for a loophole should be replaced by a search for the truth. Hopefully, when this all ends, and at some point it will, the truth is exactly what we will get. As ever, we live in hope it comes.

Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing