Conor Benn to ‘return with vengeance’ after being cleared of intentional doping

Conor Benn has vowed to “return with a vengeance” after the World Boxing Council cleared him of an intentional doping offense.

On Wednesday, the WBC ruled a “highly elevated consumption of eggs” was considered a “reasonable explanation” for Benn’s adverse finding which saw his catchweight bout with Chris Eubank Jr, scheduled for October 2022, cancelled.

Trace amounts of a fertility drug, clomiphene – which is known to elevate testosterone levels in men – were found in Benn’s urine.

The tests were taken by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) during July and September. Subsequently, Benn, the 26-year-old son of former super-middleweight world champion Nigel Benn, relinquished his licence with the British Boxing Board of Control.

Benn, who always denied the intentional or knowingly ingestion of any banned substances, was happy to see his name cleared, but maintained there were elements of the statement from the sanctioning body he disagreed with.

Despite the ruling from the WBC, Benn’s case continues to be investigated by UK Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Board of Control.

WBC RULING REGARDING CONOR BENN https://t.co/1Tc1mjXUze pic.twitter.com/r7u0EUkWDn

— World Boxing Council (@WBCBoxing) February 22, 2023

Until that process is concluded, Benn would not be licensed to box in the UK, but could fight in another country under a different jurisdiction.

“I’m pleased that the WBC have finally cleared my name, with no sanction or ban of any kind and a reinstatement in the world rankings. I can now put this behind me and resume my career immediately,” Benn said in his Instagram story.

“While I welcome the ultimate outcome, I do not agree with everything said in the WBC’s statement. That’s something I am discussing