
Benn failed two voluntarily administered drug tests for clomifene before his October showdown with Chris Eubank Jr. was cancelled.
Conor Benn has returned to the World Boxing Council rankings after it was determined that his failed drug test was not deliberate and may have been caused by a very elevated "egg consumption."
Benn failed two voluntarily administered drug tests for clomifene before his October showdown with Chris Eubank Jr. was cancelled.
As he is still under investigation by UK Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Board of Control, he is unable to fight in the United Kingdom.
Three decades after their fathers Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr fought, Benn and Eubank were slated to fight on October 8 at a catchweight of 157lb.
The 26-year-old earlier attributed the findings to "contamination." His defence asserted that the VADA testing laboratory was flawed, but the WBC dismissed this argument.
In a statement, the body said it found "there was no conclusive evidence that Mr. Benn engaged in intentional or knowing ingestion of clomifene".
"There were no failures in the procedures related to sample collection, sample analysis, or violations of Mr. Benn's B Sample rights that would justify questioning or invalidating the Adverse Finding, and Mr. Benn's documented and highly-elevated consumption of eggs during the times relevant to the sample collection, raised a reasonable explanation for the Adverse Finding" it added.
Benn enrolled in the WBC's out-of-competition testing in July and the statement refers to a test that took place on July 25.
Positive tests were conducted for clomifene and its hydroxymetabolites MI and M2. The WBC reports that it did not receive a "substantive response" from Benn until December, and it did not conduct a comprehensive examination until January 2023.
The BBBofC said it knew of the WBC's conclusions but added:
"Whilst the BBBofC wishes to make clear that it respects the WBC, the WBC is a sanctioning body and not a governing body."The decision of the WBC does not affect the ongoing implementation of the BBBofC's rules."
The WBC plans to work together with Benn to "avoid the risk of a future adverse finding caused by nutritional factors".
Matchroom Promoter Eddie Hearn said Benn was "ready to resume his career".
"This is now about finding places for Conor Benn to box," Hearn told the Boxing Social podcast.
"Conor Benn can box anywhere in the world, but to box in the UK he has to go through a process, and we don't know how long that process is going to take."He's in the gym. He's been in the gym for the last six weeks. He's ready to fight."
Benn Betting Markets
This news has seen a surge in UK bookies listing Benn betting markets, with bookies and punters eager to see what the boxer's next moves will be. Some of the best betting sites for boxing markets include William Hill, Coral and Interbet, so be sure to check them out!