CONOR BENN’S claims that a “high consumption of eggs” led to his failed drugs tests have been accepted by the WBC – but he can still only fight outside of the UK.
British boxing was thrown into chaos just days before Benn’s grudge fight against Chris Eubank Jr in October when news of the adverse findings broke.
Despite legal teams on both sides throwing everything at it, the fight, and the entire promotion, was scrapped.
Benn vehemently protested his innocence, and although he was never BANNED from boxing, UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control opened an investigation.
Benn subsequently ripped up his British boxing licence over the escalating doping row.
The WBC removed Benn from their rankings after traces of the banned substance Clomiphene was discovered in VADA urine samples.
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Clomiphene is sometimes used to increase egg production in hens.
It can then be passed on to humans on digestion.
Benn submitted a 270-page document to the WBC protesting his innocence in December, highlighting that he passed a pair of UKAD tests taken around the same time.
And the organisation have now re-instated the 26-year-old after he appealed, and published a lengthy statement explaining their decision.
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It reads: “The WBC found that: (1) there was no conclusive evidence that Mr Benn engaged in intentional or knowing ingestion of Clomiphene.
“(2) 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 (3) 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.”
Benn, son of the legendary former world champ Nigel, is still under investigation by UKAD and the BBBofC, meaning he can still not fight on these shores.
But the WBC’s move means he could lace up the gloves to fight in another country.
Speaking to SunSport previously, Benn admitted to eating “around 35-40 eggs a week” and believes this, or “contamination” is the only answer to the failed tests.
He explained: “The test was taken at the end of July, and I found out at the end of August.
“I passed all my UKAD tests, which people aren’t talking about. I’ve passed all my tests in and out of camp – I’ve been pro seven years. Never failed a test.
“I signed up to VADA in February, so it doesn’t make any sense. Why would I take something then?
“Trace amounts were found. The tiniest of traces. The only thing I can think is contamination.
“I’ve not taken anything. I never have done, never would. It’s not what I stand for, it’s not what my team stands for.
“Why would I take the biggest fight of my life, sign up for to VADA, voluntary anti-doping, and then this substance? If you Google this substance it stays in your system for months.
“Do I look like an idiot?”
The BBBofC have since released their own statement, keen to point out that the WBC is “a sanctioning body and not a governing body”.
They add: “The BBBoC has adopted the UK Anti-Doping Rules published by UK Anti-Doping, and those formed part of the rules to which Mr Benn was bound.
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“As such, the decision of the WBC does not affect the ongoing implementation of the BBBoC’s rules (and those of UKAD).
“The UK Anti-Doping Rules make clear what conduct constitutes an Anti-Doping Rule Violation as defined in those rules (and in the World Anti-Doping Code) and specifically set out the circumstances in which such violations can be committed by way of strict liability.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
