The curtains might finally be closing for Conor Benn’s professional boxing career after the UKAD charged him for the use of PEDs, specifically the use of clomiphene was which found in his system half a year ago after he failed two tests by VADA. The British Welterweight’s career now hangs in the balance if his charge has already resulted in an indefinite suspension, and now comes paired with a potential 2 or even 4 year ban from competing as a professional athlete.

Since October, Conor Benn’s career had already been on the rocks following the revelation of his failed drug test prior to him facing Chris Eubank Jr. Since then, a number of intriguing events have happened including the WBC clearing him because he apparently consumed a massive amount eggs that led to clomiphene being in his system, Benn relinquishing his license and an emotional interview Benn held with famous British television presenter Piers Morgan where he revealed he had a 270-page document that could prove his innocence ― or at least the benefit of doubt in purposefully taking clomiphene, but which he had not yet presented to the BBBofC or UKAD because he “did not know what vendetta” they could have against him.

Now, the British Welterweight will likely be scrambling for any way out as the UKAD (United Kingdom Anti-Doping Agency) seems intent to thoroughly conclude this case according to their own press statements.

“Following reports in the media and comments made by professional boxer Mr Conor Benn on Tuesday 18 April 2023, and in exceptional circumstances, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) confirms that Mr Benn was notified and provisionally suspended by UKAD on 15 March 2023 in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules.” The UKAD announced on their official website.

“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 can also confirm that on 3 April 2023 it charged Mr Benn with an Article 2.2 violation for the alleged Use of a Prohibited Substance (clomifene). The charge against Mr Benn is pending and will now follow the Results Management process in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules. 

“UKAD issues this statement in accordance with its Policy on Public disclosure of provisional suspensions and charges and Articles 7.10.7 and 7.11.5 of the UK Anti-Doping Rules. UKAD will not be providing any further comment at this stage.” 

According to their statement, Benn has been suspended for all bouts organized by the BBBofC (Brtish Boxing Board of Control) since March 15th until his case with UKAD has been resolved ― which, judging by how slow the UKAD have been moving can be held up for an undetermined but decisively lengthy time.

Despite UKAD having claimed to be investigating Conor Benn’s case as early as mid-October, the organization has inexplicably just now decided to take any action to charge Benn, despite having had half a year of facts to work with.

Though Conor Benn was ‘cleared’ by the WBC, the sanctioning body has no real authority to do so and according to Talk Sport boxing journalist Spencer Oliver, neither the WBC or any international body will allow Conor Benn to compete once WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency) is involved, which they are alleged to be.

With WADA known as the largest and most strictest anti-doping agency on the planet with the actual authority to ban athletes from competing professionally, Conor Benn’s career has taken a drastic turn after it had previously been believed that he could still fight somewhere in the summer, potentially with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.

Despite the UKAD’s charge being a positive footnote in boxing as it shows there is at least some action to prevent or punish the use of performance-enhancing drugs, it is important to note that both the UKAD and BBBofC also need to be held liable for how slowly they have moved with the cases that have been known.

In the case of Amir Khan, it had taken 14 months for the public to know that he had failed a test, even though he was banned last year. In Conor Benn’s case, it took 6 months for the UKAD to finally announce that they would charge Conor Benn for alleged PED-use, even though they could have easily charged him within the first month alone based on the evidence that had already been out there.

Instead, the UKAD had nearly allowed Conor Benn to fight abroad in the summer before their charge and the subsequent suspension they placed on him. Eddie Hearn, Conor Benn’s promoter, has scathingly given his own rebuke of the UKAD and BBBofC’s handling of this case; in particular the release of information that neither he or his fighter were privy to, yet at the same time seemed widely-available to certain media outlets.

“I was not aware of any suspension or charge. All of the information I am receiving, is coming by the media in an apparent confidential process.” Eddie Hearn lamented in a recent interview with IFL TV.

“Amir Khan failed a test for 14 months, no one knew and no members of the media knew. In this instance, every step by the BBBofC and UKAD is being fed to the media who are finding out before us.

“There is a reason, and the reason is because there is an agenda. There has to be. But, in good news for everybody, UKAD have the document, they have the report and they will have to go through the process and go to trial.

“What we want to find out is why are members of the media aware of this process before we even do. It makes absolutely no sense.“

Though Hearn has hit at points that hold merit and would warrant further questioning, the facts still remain that Conor Benn failed two separate PED-tests conducted by VADA who operate as the primary anti-doping agency in professional boxing, next to national anti-doping agencies such as UKAD.

It is however, quite telling, that certain media companies receive information before the promoter or fighter, which actually could help the case of Conor Benn as certain confidentiality legal agreements might have been breached. In any case, Conor Benn’s boxing career is temporarily put on hold as he will be forced to handle matters with UKAD who have not yet set an official date for proceedings surrounding his case ― at least publicly.