The history between doping and combat sports athletes goes a long way, just the way it does in multiple other sports. As it turns out, we have a new case in the sporting town which is bound to take everyone by a shock as it involves British boxer Conor Benn, who was previously the Continental welterweight champion. 

According to Nextbet the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) has formally prosecuted Conor Benn over his failed drugs tests and temporarily suspended him from taking part in the sport. Benn, 26, twice tested positive for female fertility drug clomifene ahead of last October’s proposed catchweight bout against Chris Eubank Jr. A

After UKAD’s statement on Thursday, Benn – who relinquished his British boxing licence after testing positive, took to social media to say that his name is being used to create a few clicks and is confident of not taking or consuming any abandoned drugs. 

“Another day, another attempt to create a headline with my name. I am involved in a confidential procedure and I have respected my confidentiality obligations. Yet each day brings a new leak and a misrepresentation of what’s actually happening. There is no news. Being “charged” is a start of a process by which an athlete has to defend themselves.

“I have not been sanctioned by anyone & I’m not banned from boxing. I remain free to fight in events that are not sanctioned by the BBBoC. I don’t even have a BBBoC licence.”

It is usually not a part of UKAD’s protocol to  publicly disclose suspensions or charges before a case has been resolved but deemed Benn’s situation as “exceptional circumstances”. While quite a lot of these allegations have been eye-popping, the only confirmation is that he will be out for a considerable period of time. 

The BBBofC can request that other governing bodies prohibit the undefeated Londoner from fighting abroad. A BBBofC statement read: “The BBBoC relies upon UKAD to ensure that professional boxers comply with the UKAD Rules (as incorporated into the BBBoC’s Rules and Regulations) and awaits the outcome of the UKAD process in due course.” UKAD and the BBBofC say they will make no further comment at this stage.