The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) has responded to the message released by Conor Benn on Wednesday, November 6, where he announced himself to have been cleared of any wrongdoing by the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP). While a more substantial message was expected from the British board, the BBBoC has opted to refer to UK Anti-Doping’s (UKAD) statement instead rather than directly addressing the matter.
The BBBoC released their official statement yesterday, November 7:
“The British Boxing Board of Control is aware that Conor Benn issued a public statement on 6th November 2024, in relation to proceedings between UK Anti-Doping and him,” The BBBofC stated. “The BBBofC refers to the statement published in response by UKAD at Statement from UK Anti-Doping regarding Conor Benn | UK Anti-Doping.
“We are considering our position. All enquiries regarding this matter should be directed to UK Anti-Doping.“
BBBoC’s statement suggests they are allowing UKAD to take the lead in potentially challenging the NADP’s recent decision to clear Conor Benn (23-0, 14 KO’s) as they look to consider their position. In a statement released by Benn regarding his clearance, the British welterweight (147 lbs) contender did indicate he would like to restore his fallen relationship with the BBBofC.
“As a man of God I bear no ill will toward UKAD or the British Boxing Board of Control,” Benn’s statement reads. “We have a shared ambition of a clean sport and I look forward to reconciling with the Board and moving forward together.“
UKAD’s own statement confirmed Conor Benn had been cleared for the second time in two years by the NADP, but their official address did suggest UKAD would look to explore options to combat the NADP’s decision.
“UKAD can confirm that it received the decision of the independent National Anti-Doping Panel this afternoon,” An official spokesperson of UKAD said on November 6. “The [National Anti-Doping] Panel concluded that it was ‘not comfortably satisfied’ that UKAD had proved that Mr Benn had committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation for the Use of clomifene. The Provisional Suspension previously in place has been lifted and the charge against him has been consequently dismissed.
“UKAD will now carefully review the Panel’s decision in accordance with its appeal rights under the UK Anti-Doping Rules.”
According to the UK Anti-Doping Rules, UKAD has 21 days from November 6 to combat the decision made by the NADP to clear Conor Benn.
It is unclear whether the BBBofC will join in with UKAD if they opt to go through the process to re-instate Benn’s provisional suspension, as the commission stated to be “considering our position” ― suggesting they might just take up on Benn’s offer to reconciliate with him.
Notably, the BBBofC also made no mention of the reported meeting that was set to occur between them and Conor Benn in October. This meeting was intended to review the circumstances of the failed tests and determine Benn’s eligibility to resume boxing in the UK. However, the BBBofC has not publicly confirmed whether this meeting took place or its outcome.
Following the NADP’s decision, the provisional suspension that had been placed upon Benn by UKAD and the BBBofC has been removed, thereby allowing the fighter to compete as normal once more. However, the circumstances surrounding Benn’s failed drug tests for Clomiphene do not fully exonerate him.
While the NADP did clear Conor Benn, UKAD’s statement pointed out that the NADP had not been “comfortably satisfied” with UKAD proving Benn violated the UK Anti-Doping Rules. This term denotes that UKAD has not proven Benn guilty beyond reasonable doubt for essentially doping, but it also sets up the possibility for UKAD to seek to draw more conclusive evidence if they decide to challenge the case.
There are further discrepancies that have emerged since Benn was first revealed to have failed a drug test. Most glaringly, Benn had initially asserted that Clomiphene did not enter his system through the consumption of eggs. However, roughly a year later, Conor Benn would release statements claiming he did actually ingest eggs to explain how Clomiphene was detected in his body following a positive drug test.
