Conor Benn’s fight against Chris Eubank Jr. had to be cancelled last year because he failed two drug tests; a National Anti-Doping Panel judgement had reduced his temporary boxing suspension, but the BBBoC & UKAD have now challenged that decision.
The decision to remove Conor Benn’s boxing suspension is being appealed. Before his proposed bout with Chris Eubank Jr., which was postponed last year, Benn failed two drug tests.
The independent National Anti-Doping Panel made a decision at the end of last month to lift his boxing ban. However, an appeal has been filed against that judgement by UK BBBoC & UKAD
The British Boxing Board of Control Limited (BBBoC) can confirm that it has filed an appeal over the judgement of the independent National Anti-Doping Panel in the anti-doping proceedings launched by UKAD against Mr Benn, according to a statement from the Board.
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“The BBBoC has chosen to appeal the ruling since it is the organisation in charge of regulating professional boxing in the United Kingdom and is doing so in accordance with its obligations. The UKAD has also appealed,” according to the BBBoC.
“The aforementioned appeal will be handled in line with the applicable regulations. The BBBoC is now unable to speak further due to those circumstances.”
Also from a UKAD spokesperson: “UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) can now confirm that it has filed an appeal in respect of a ruling made by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel regarding anti-doping proceedings, UKAD launched against Mr. Conor Benn.
“Mr. Benn is no longer under a provisional ban, as was originally stated in UKAD’s notification of July 28, 2023.
“The UK Anti-Doping Rules will now be followed in the appeals procedure.”
UKAD was unable to provide any more public commentary to the situation.
Conor Benn said, “I’m unhappy at the news of an appeal being lodged, having previously been allowed to continue my career without any restrictions by the WBC and the National Anti-Doping Panel.
“I am innocent, as I have already stated. Nothing has changed, and my confidence in my position has not changed.
“While I wait for the legal process to conclude, I won’t be making any more comments.”
