‘I Couldn’t Accept the Ban’: Conor Benn Awaits BBBoC Hearing as Career Hangs in Balance

Conor Benn (23-0, 14 KOs) is preparing to face the biggest fight of his life next month as he prepares for a British Boxing Board of Control hearing into his much-publicised drug ban. Benn is provisionally suspended after UKAD and BBBoC successfully appealed the decision made by the independent National Anti-Doping panel, which lifted the ban in July 2023. The ban stems from “The Destroyer” failing two voluntary drug tests before his proposed fight with Chris Eubank Jr in October 2022. Benn has spoken to Sky Sports about his feelings ahead of the hearing.

Conor Benn Awaits BBBoC Hearing as Career Hangs in Balance

Conor Benn Opens Up on Drug Ban Ahead of Crucial BBBoC Hearing

According to the report from Sky Sports, the hearing with the BBBoC will finally happen in October this year, with Benn confident he will receive good news and resume his unbeaten career.

The unbeaten Essex native said: “I’ve been doing that [proving his innocence]. Forget the narrative that’s being pushed. I was cleared a year-and-a-half ago by the people who had done the test.”

He continued: “I had passed all my UKADs during that same period. So their authority I had passed.”

Read More: Conor Benn Extended the Distance Once Again

An exasperated Benn added: “They say I haven’t done this, I haven’t done that, but the reality is I’ve gone through every avenue possible to do that.”

Benn also spoke about the importance of integrity: “This is something I’m willing to fight for and have fought for, and I’m glad it’s coming to an end. I haven’t bent, I haven’t swayed on the truth and that’s all that matters to me – my integrity.”

“I couldn’t accept the ban. If I ain’t done something, I won’t raise my hand to it. Never this! I stay true in what I believe in, and the easy option would be: ‘yeah, I’ll just take this,’ not continue to fight and spend hundreds of thousands, missing out on big opportunities if I had done something,” said Benn.

Read More: Conor Benn Scored Another Big KO Saturday Night

Speaking about the fight in front of him, Benn said: “If I done it, listen, you got to be a real idiot to do that. I ain’t that guy. Never will be that guy. I’m a fighter and that’s what I do. This fight is a lot harder than any fight I’ve ever had and that will be the hardest fight I’ll ever have.”

Possible Ring Return

Should his suspension be lifted, Benn has said he’s looking to return at the end of this year or early 2025. While speaking to Sky Sports, “The Destroyer” said: “Hopefully I’ll be back at the end of the year. If not, definitely Q1 next year. I’m through the thick of it now, coming towards the end whenever that is. All I need is six weeks.”

“I’ve stayed in shape, I’ve stayed in the gym, the discipline, the work ethic, the tenacity, the intensity, it’s unmatched because most people wouldn’t do what I do being through what I’ve been through,” said Benn.

Read More: Conor Benn Drops Algieri In Four

Speaking about a potential fight against Eubank Jr., the Essex fighter said: “Old foe? Very much current, very much present! If there’s anyone I want to give a big beating to, and a good beating to, it’s that man [Chris Eubank Jr].”

Looking to the future, Benn said: “I’ll come up to 160lbs, give him a good whopping and then comeback down to 147 to remind everyone why I’m the most dangerous fighter in the 147 division. I’m feeling dangerous right now. When I’m back nobody is safe.”