Conor Benn has been “Provisionally Suspended” according to UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) who earlier in February appealed the decision―alongside the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC)―by the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) to remove Benn’s suspension. Working alongside UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), it notably took the BBBofC almost three months since their appeal to suspend Benn.
Conor Benn (23-0, 14 KO’s) is now subject to a “Provisional Suspension” according to the UKAD, which bars him from both competing as an athlete―or aid another athlete in whichever manner possible; preventing Benn from participating in any boxing event [whether as a competitor or otherwise] overseen by the BBBofC or any other sports organization that follows the rules outlined by the World Anti-Doping Code―which was crafted and is ruled by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
“UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) can today confirm that as of 7 May 2024, Mr Benn is once again subject to a Provisional Suspension in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules,” UKAD’s official statement, released on May 10th, reads. “Whilst provisionally suspended Mr Benn is prohibited from participating in any capacity (or assisting another Athlete in any capacity) in a Competition, Event or activity that is organised, convened, authorised or recognised by the British Boxing Board of Control or any other World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport.
“UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) were successful in their respective appeals of a decision handed down by a tribunal of the independent National Anti-Doping Panel in July 2023. Mr Benn’s Provisional Suspension was reimposed by the appeal tribunal following the successful appeals.
“Mr Benn’s case remains before the independent National Anti-Doping Panel and the case will now progress in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules. UKAD is not able to make any further public disclosures at this time.“
Last year, Benn had similarly been Provisionally Suspended only for the NADP to overturn the suspension, which led to the BBBofC and UKAD working this entire time to again suspend Benn. This new suspension pertains to a joint appeal from the BBBofC and UKAD held in February with an “appeal tribunal” from the NADP, though the exact content of this appeal is still unknown. Presumably, there was enough cause within this appeal for the NADP to reimpose the suspension the BBBofC had placed on Benn in 2023.
This Provisional Suspension essentially means that Conor Benn will not be able to compete anywhere as a professional boxer, as [almost] every organization that sanctions professional fights follows the World Anti-Doping Code. Additionally, Benn cannot participate in any capacity in boxing or any other sport until the suspension has been lifted.
UKAD also mentioned that Benn’s case will continue to “remain before the NADP“, a statement allegedly made vague to avoid legal implications. It essentially suggests the case falls under the jurisdiction of the NADP rather than any other national or international court-adjudicating sports body/organization.
Through a reference the UKAD made towards the UK-Anti Doping Rules, it can be concluded that Benn retains the right to appeal the decision; with his likely next course of action pertaining to him appealing his Provisional Suspension with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)―though challenging the same appeal tribunal from the NADP that reintroduced his Provisional Suspension also appears to be a possibility. According to the UK-Anti Doping Rules, Benn has 21 days since being notified of the suspension to challenge it.
