Suspended Conor Benn: This isn't about my innocence, it's all politics

UK Anti-Doping has confirmed boxer Conor Benn has been charged with an anti-doping violation and provisionally suspended.

Controversy surrounded Benn's scheduled fight against Chris Eubank Jr in October after it emerged on the eve of the contest that the former had tested positive for the banned female fertility drug clomifene.

The bout was postponed and UKAD has now revealed welterweight Benn, who is unbeaten in 21 professional fights, was provisionally suspended on March 15 and charged on April 3.

Benn responded to media reports on Tuesday on Twitter, saying: "I can't comment on anything to do with UKAD other than to say that I am in touch with them.

"Someone at the BBBoC or UKAD obviously wanted to create a headline unlike the Khan case where it was kept quiet for 14 months but this is nothing new. I remain free to fight outside the UK.

"This isn't even about my innocence anymore, it's all politics. You can't keep a good man down."

A UKAD spokesperson said in a statement: "Following a public consultation in late 2020, and having considered the results of that consultation, UKAD's board decided in February 2021 that UKAD will not routinely publicly disclose the fact that an athlete has been charged or provisionally suspended before a charge has been resolved.

"However, it was also recognised that there might be limited and rare examples where it is appropriate to do so in 'exceptional circumstances'.

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

"Whilst provisionally