Conor Benn return thrown into doubt after UKAD provisionally suspended welterweight star last month

Conor Benn is believed to have been provisionally suspended by UK Anti-Doping over his two positive drug tests.

Sources have told Mail Sport that the fighter was notified by UKAD last month and, crucially, we can reveal he is now cooperating with their investigation.

That includes handing over the same file of evidence he provided to the WBC probe earlier this year. When contacted by Mail Sport, Benn’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said he was unaware the case had escalated to a suspension, but did confirm that the fighter’s legal team has recently shared evidence in favor of his defense collected, despite the 26-year-old previously being criticized for saying “proud,” he was unable to help with investigations.

What this means for Benn’s future remains unclear. UKAD, who has been approached for comment, will continue to investigate the matter during which time he will not fight in this country, and could face a further two-year suspension if ultimately found guilty.

Mail Sport broke the news of Benn’s failed tests on the eve of his clash with Chris Eubank Jnr (left) in October

Benn remains adamant that he is free to fight on foreign shores despite the suspension

However, it’s clear he could still make plans to fight overseas on June 3, with bouts discussed with both Chris Eubank Jr. as Manny Pacquiao in Abu Dhabi.

If he goes ahead with those plans while this matter hangs over his head, there will be an uproar in some circles of the sport.

The British Boxing Board of Control would not confirm or deny whether Benn has been provisionally suspended.

Mail Sport broke the shocking news in October that Benn had tested positive for clomiphene in September, leading to the cancellation of his confrontation with Eubank Jr. and caused accusations of a cover-up. We also revealed that Benn tested positive for the same substance in July.

He maintains his innocence and was allowed to return to the WBC rankings earlier this year after a short, much-criticized investigation. They ruled that it was possible that Benn had ingested the substance accidentally, possibly through excessive consumption of eggs, although the boxer has vehemently maintained that his positive results were caused by flawed testing procedures used by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.

Although the two positive investigations were carried out by VADA in July and September last year, the complex case still falls under the jurisdiction of UKAD. Under UKAD rules there are 11 areas where an athlete can commit an anti-doping offense and it is clear that Benn’s case could fall under their Article 2.2.1, around ‘Use or attempted use by an athlete of a prohibited substance or a forbidden method’. ‘.

In that scenario, their rules point to strict liability, stating, “It is the personal duty of each athlete to ensure that no Prohibited Substance enters his body… Accordingly, there is no need for intent, error, negligence or deliberate use on the athlete’s part to establish an anti-doping rule violation.”

Benn also highlighted the case involving Amir Khan (right), who failed a test following his defeat to Kell Brook last year, which was kept secret for the past year.

In light of the news, Benn took to Twitter to insist he remains free to fight abroad, while also lashing out at the BBBoC and UKAD once again.

“I can say nothing other than that I am in contact with UKAD,” he wrote.

“Someone at the BBBoC or UKAD obviously wanted to create a headline, unlike the Khan case where it was kept quiet for 14 months, but this is nothing new. I remain free to fight outside the UK.”

Benn is not the only British boxer embroiled in drug controversies after it was revealed that Amir Khan, referred to in his tweet, failed tests following his defeat to Kell Brook last year.

Khan was able to prove that his positive result for ostarine – a banned bodybuilding drug – was unintentional, meaning he received a two-year ban from all sports, as opposed to the standard four years.

Benn’s placement under UKAD suspension comes as a major blow to Hearn, who recently told Mail Sport he wanted to reschedule Benn’s canceled meeting with Eubank.

While Eubank was also in talks to avenge his January defeat to Liam Smith, Pacquiao appeared to be the front-runner this summer against Benn.

“The two people who really call the fight are Manny Pacquiao and Kell Brook,” Hearn said. “The fight I still like is the fight with Chris Eubank, because those two are currently DMing each other privately every day with obscenities, and that leads to a great promotion.

“Obviously part of me wants to see that fight after it failed last time. So we’ve had a few offers for Conor Benn to fight internationally, for me I’d say Chris Eubank Jr. prefer, but we’ll have to see what works out.’

However, until Benn’s UKAD suspension is lifted, Hearn risks losing his own promotion license with the British Boxing Board of Control if he plays any part in his return to the ring.