Conor Benn’s Worst Nightmare Comes Back Haunting as UKAD Orders Provisional Suspension

He can run, but he can’t hide from his fate! Conor Benn has been, yet again, provisionally suspended after UK Anti-Doping and BBBofC won their appeal against the National Anti-Doping Panel’s decision to clear Benn last year. All the way back during October 2022, Benn was supposed to face off against generational rival Chris Eubank Jr. but things quickly went south! 

After testing positive for banned drug clomiphene twice before the fight, the fight itself was shelved alongside Benn’s boxing career. The independent NADP panel had lifted the suspension temporarily, which allowed Benn to improve his record to 23-0. However, Benn is back in hot waters as talkSport editor Michael Benson shared an update about Benn’s suspension on social media today! 

Hours earlier, Benson wrote, “Conor Benn has now once again been provisionally suspended by UKAD after UKAD and the BBBofC won their appeal against the NADP’s decision to lift his suspension following his two positive drugs tests in 2022.” In the meantime, there have been no comments from either Benn or his promoter Matchroom Boxing regarding the subject! 

Regardless, Benson further wrote, “Benn’s case will now progress in accordance with the UKAD rules.” Previously, when the UKAD and BBBofC had appealed against NADP’s decision, Benn had said, “I’m disappointed at the news of an appeal being made, having already been cleared by both the WBC and the National Anti-Doping Panel to continue my career without any restriction.”

On Friday, BBBofC’s official X account released an official statement from Robert W Smith regarding Benn’s reinstated suspension. He wrote, “The BBBofC can confirm that Conor Benn is subject to a provisional suspension prohibiting him from participating in any capacity (or assisting another athlete in any capacity) in a competition, event or activity that is organised, convened, authorised or recognised by the BBBofC or any other World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport.”

He further added, “UKAD and the BBBoC were successful in their respective appeals of a decision handed down by a tribunal of the independent National Anti-Doping Panel in July 2023 and Mr Benn’s provisional suspension was reimposed by the appeal tribunal following those successful appeals.”

Conor Benn loses out on the biggest fight! 

Despite his best efforts, things aren’t looking good for the undefeated boxer. Not long ago, Benn even lost out on the biggest fight of his career against Manny Pacquiao! As per a tweet from Benson, “Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions rep Sean Gibbons has revealed that the Conor Benn fight was close to done before the BBBofC and UKAD won their appeal.”

The pair had originally met in Saudi Arabia during the Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou weigh-ins. ‘Pac-Man’ was even adamant about leaving the land of the sand with a signed contract. However, like Ngannou’s dream to become a boxer, Pacquiao’s desire to return to the ring against Benn shattered after the UKAD won their appeal. 

With that said, there’s a good possibility of Conor Benn never entering the ring again in the near future, at best. At worst, things could look much more grim, and the boxer has to face suspension spanning several years, which is more often than not extremely hard to come back from. What do you think is in store for the Londoner? Is he ever coming back? Or is it adios for the undefeated talent?