Conor Benn has once again been provisionally suspended from boxing.
The UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) confirmed they had both successfully appealed the decision of the independent national anti-doping panel to lift the ban on Benn on May 10. Last July.
Jane Rumble, CEO of UKAD, said: sky sports In a wide-ranging interview during Clean Sport Week where a number of issues were discussed, including Benn's temporary suspension.
The Rumble wonders why the suspension around Benn is likely, considering he was initially suspended in March 2023 after testing positive twice for a banned substance before his match with Chris Eubank Jr was canceled in October 2022. I acknowledge and understand why this has become a confusing situation.
Describing the process, Rumble said: “Typically, if an athlete is found to have taken a banned substance and there are findings showing that we will notify them and then charge them, that is the situation. They can either agree to the charges or choose one or the other.” Or we appeal that decision and if they appeal that decision the case goes to the National Anti-Doping Panel, which is an independent panel that looks at our evidence and the athlete's evidence and then makes a decision.
Benn's last fight was a points win over Peter Dobson in Las Vegas in February.
“That decision may be appealed by the player or UKAD. We are now in a position where we have appealed that decision and UKAD has won the appeal and we are now back in a provisional suspension situation.
“I think I’d appreciate it if you just explained it as a process: What does that mean and what’s happening?
“What you get from that is 'checks and balances' and a moment of appeal. I think that's a very healthy place to apply a regulatory framework or a legal framework to ensure that both sides' rights are guaranteed. They're well represented; “It’s a sign of a healthy system working well because independent listening and decisions are made, but it ultimately takes time.”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Benn was hoping to secure a major fight this year after defeating Dobson.
Could Benn launch another appeal?
Benn's temporary suspension is not the end of the problem. No actual sanctions or bans have yet been imposed. UKAD has not yet decided on this. The process is not yet complete and Benn still has options for appeal, including through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which has transparent and public rules.
Benn might argue that UKAD should reduce the ban if it is indeed doing so. There are a variety of avenues open to all athletes, for example assessing the extent of an individual's fault, the seriousness of the infraction and how quickly the infraction was acknowledged before reaching a solution. An athlete may be able to claim that the rule violation was not 'intentional', but this would require the athlete to prove how the banned substance entered the body.
Benn, who has always maintained his innocence even after failing a drug test, has fought twice in the United States since the independent National Anti-Doping Commission initially lifted his suspension. His most recent fight was a points win over Peter Dobson in February.
Benn decided not to make a public statement when approached by someone who said: sky sports.
