- Conor Benn will return to the ring in Florida, USA on Saturday night
- This will be Benn’s first fight in 17 months following his positive drug test.
- The 26-year-old boxer is also looking to face Chris Eubank Jr in a fight in December.
Conor Benn will be back in action this Saturday following his 17 month absence from the ring.
The 26-year-old will face Rodolfo Orozco on the undercard of Richardson Hitchins’ clash with Jose Zepeda in Florida.
Benn was cleared to fight following the verdict of the UKAD (UK Anti-Doping) investigation into his failed doping tests last year. However, multiple sources have told Mail Sport that UK Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Board of Control have triggered their right to challenge the decision of the Independent National Anti-Doping Panel.
As a result, it remains to be seen whether Benn – who has maintained his innocence and spent “hundreds and thousands” of dollars on scientists to clear his name after traces of clomiphene were found in his samples – can currently fight in the UK .
Nonetheless, Benn is clear to fight overseas and wants to return to the ring as soon as possible. Therefore, the Destroyer will feature on the Hitchins vs Zepeda undercard in Orlando.
Conor Benn (above) will return to action Saturday on the Richardson Hitchins vs. Jose Zepeda undercard after his 17-month absence from the ring.
Benn will fight on the undercard Richardson Hitchins against Jose Zepeda after his timeout
Matchroom announced Benn’s place on the card on Wednesday, with promoter Eddie Hearn tweeting: “It’s time. This Saturday…he’s back! @ConorBenn returns this Saturday on a huge card in Orlando live on @daznboxing’.
Saturday’s fight could serve as a tune-up fight for Benn ahead of a potential clash with Chris Eubank Jr in December.
Eubank Jr and Benn were about to reignite an old family feud dating back decades. They were scheduled to face each other in October last year for a highly anticipated fight.
However, on the eve of the fight, Mail Sport revealed that Benn had twice tested positive for the banned substance clomiphene in the build-up to the fight.
Both fighters’ promoters attempted to go ahead with the fight, but when lawyers failed to obtain a High Court injunction, the fight was abandoned, leaving fans somewhat disappointed.
Matchroom confirmed the news, revealing that the fight had been “postponed” and insisted that the Council’s decision to withdraw its sanction was “marred by procedural flaws and without due process”.
However, the pair are expected to face each other in the future – with Hearn revealing talks for the clash between Benn and Eubank Jr are already underway for December this year.
Some fans are opposed to the match, but Hearn insists Benn has every right to fight.
When asked what he thought of the criticism surrounding the potential fight between Benn and Eubank Jr, the Matchroom promoter replied: “I don’t know what else to do.
“He is not suspended. He was never charged. He was never found guilty. What do you want me to do? Say ok, well he won’t fight because you’re not happy about it.
Benn’s grudge match with Chris Eubank Jr (left) was halted last year after failed drug test
“He’s gone through all the processes that have been asked of him and now he has to go through another one. He’s been cleared to fight and he could fight as soon as two weeks.
Hearn then spoke about the importance of Eubank Jr’s victory over Liam Smith in the Benn fight. He said: “All of a sudden Eubank versus Benn becomes bigger than ever again.
“I send a message to Kalle Sauerland the morning of the fight to tell him to win or lose. The fact that he won makes Benn’s fight massive.
“We are in talks for this fight in December. I’m sure you’ll consider this fight the biggest fight for both of them. I hope we can cross the finish line.