Conor Benn says his status and integrity stay intact earlier than a suspension listening to to determine his future in British boxing.
‘The Destroyer’ is on the cusp of being free to proceed his profession following two failed drug assessments earlier than a scheduled struggle with Chris Eubank Jr. in 2022. Benn has constantly denied any wrongdoing regardless of being briefly suspended from competing.
Benn efficiently appealed the ban and competed twice in the US. Nevertheless, he’s again out of the body once more till a choice comes subsequent month. All sanctioning our bodies have since reinstated Benn into the rankings, having beforehand eliminated the Londoner. This state of affairs means the indicators look good for the welterweight transferring ahead.
The son of boxing legend Nigel Benn says the very fact he hasn’t admitted any guilt means he can put the state of affairs behind him with honor.
“Overlook the narrative that’s being pushed. The individuals who had finished the take a look at cleared me a year-and-a-half in the past,” Benn informed Sky Sports activities. “I had handed all my UKADs [drug tests] throughout that very same interval. So their authority I had handed.
“That is one thing I’m prepared to struggle for and have fought for. I’m glad it’s coming to an finish [next month]. I haven’t bent. I haven’t swayed on the reality. That’s all that issues to me – my integrity.”
On being suspended in his personal nation, Benn added, “I couldn’t settle for the ban. I received’t elevate my hand to it if I haven’t finished one thing. By no means this! I keep true to what I imagine in. The straightforward possibility can be: ‘Yeah, I’ll simply take this,’ not proceed to struggle and spend a whole lot of 1000’s, lacking out on massive alternatives if I had finished one thing.”
He concluded, “If it had been titles [I was fighting for], I might have had this case closed two years in the past. The status nonetheless stands. The integrity stands.”
As a result of Benn being out of motion on dwelling soil for properly over two years, it’s exhausting to see the British Boxing Board of Management and the UK Anti-Doping Company prolonging the case any additional. Benn ought to be free to proceed his profession in England by no less than the spring, placing his dwelling exile at three years. That ought to be greater than sufficient to appease the BBBofC and UKAD, regardless of Benn persevering with to struggle outdoors the UK when the consensus is he ought to have waited.
As soon as the judgment comes, Benn can arrange a warm-up struggle by December earlier than eyeing the extra important names in 2025. A world title shot might be within the pipeline by Might earlier than promoter Eddie Hearn can reignite a UK Pay Per View conflict with Chris Eubank Jr. for the autumn of subsequent yr.
The O2 Enviornment stays the favourite to host.
Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay. Be taught extra in regards to the writer, skilled boxing author, and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010. Observe on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
