Conor Benn disagrees with WBC statement but happy to clear name after failed drugs test | Boxing News

Conor Benn says he is ‘happy to clear his name’ after being reinstated to the WBC rankings on Wednesday and cleared to resume his career following a failed drugs test last year.

Benn had tested positive for a banned substance a week before his scheduled fight against Chris Eubank Jr in October, which was later canceled after being banned by the British Boxing Board of Control.

The WBC said on Wednesday that Benn’s “very high consumption of eggs” was a “reasonable explanation” for the failed drug test.

In an Instagram story posted on Thursday night, Benn added that he disagreed with the WBC’s statement.

“I’m happy that the WBC finally cleared my name, without sanctions or bans or anything and restored me in the world ranking. I can now put this aside and continue my career immediately.

“When I received the final result, I did not agree with everything that was said in the WBC statement. That is what I have discussed with my legal team.

“There will be additional comments in due course, but for now I just want to focus on getting my career back on track after effectively avoiding a fight for several months.

“I want to thank the supporters for their patience and perseverance and hope to come back with a vengeance.

Benn remains under investigation by UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control, who released their own statement, and while they are, he will not be licensed to box in the UK.

However, it is possible that they can find other countries and alternative jurisdictions to enter.

A WBC statement read: “Conor Benn completed the enrollment process in the WBC Clean Boxing Program in February 2022. Enrollment in the WBC CBP is mandatory for all fighters rated above 15 in the WBC Ratings. Therefore, he is enrolled in the WBC CBP anti-doping testing which is not there is a competition in July 2022, when the collection of samples announced in the WBC Decision is here.

“On August 23, 2022, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (“VADA”) informed Mr. Benn and the World Boxing Council (“WBC”) that the urine “Sample” collected from him on July 25, 2022, was related to his participation in the testing program anti-doping WBC / VADA produced adverse analytical findings for Clomiphene and hydroxymetabolites MI and M2.

“Clomiphene and its metabolites are prohibited at all times in the WBC CBP. Clomiphene is a metabolic modulator that increases testosterone production and increases testosterone levels while burning fat.

“On August 30, 2022, the WBC informed Mr. Benn of the adverse findings and requested the necessary information and materials to investigate the situation. The WBC did not receive a significant response until December 2022.

“Mr. Benn denied at any time the intentional or accidental ingestion of any prohibited chemical. The defense against the Adverse Finding centered on the allegations of potential failure of laboratory analysis and irregularities in connection with the analysis of the samples and the results of the samples ‘ WBC asked several experts in the laboratory analysis anti-doping, including expert consultants with more than 30 years of experience in WADA and IOC accredited laboratory settings. Furthermore, the WBC reaffirms the unquestionable integrity of VADA and the sample collection agencies and laboratories that use VADA’s services in conjunction with the WBC CBP.

It continued: “It was not until early January 2023 that the WBC Results Management Unit could conduct a full and substantive analysis of Mr. Benn’s arguments and defenses. On January 26, 2023, members of the WBC Results Management Unit held an inquiry session with Mr. Benn and members of his legal team. February 2023, Mr. Benn’s team for the first time provided detailed information about Mr. Benn’s diet and supplement consumption that could be directly affected by Adverse Finding. .

“The WBC benefited from the services of an expert nutritionist. The WBC expert provided information on the characteristics of the substances issued in this case and examples of similar adverse findings in several sports, according to various anti-doping programs.

“The decision of the WBC Board of Governors is based on: (1) the facts known to the WBC at the time of the decision; (2) the circumstances that can be applied to a specific case; (3) the decision of the WBC in anti-precedential. -cases of doping violations; (4) analysis and recommendations that is unbiased, general and fair from the WBC Results Management Unit; and (5) reliable and trustworthy health-related and scientific literature.

“The WBC found that: (1) there was no conclusive evidence that Mr. Benn participated in the ingestion of Clomiphene knowingly or knowingly; (2) there was no failure in procedures related to sample collection, sample analysis, or violation of Mr. Benn’s Right to Sample B which will correct the question or invalidating Adverse Finding, and (3) Mr.

“The WBC Nutrition Committee will work with Mr. Benn’s team to design a nutrition program aimed at avoiding the risk of future adverse findings caused by nutritional factors. The nutrition program ordered by the WBC.

“WBC will include Mr. Benn in the ratings during the period immediately after the issuance of the decision.

“The WBC will establish a line of communication with WADA regarding the WBC’s concerns about Clomiphene as a food contaminant and the potential for false positives caused by the consumption of contaminated food.”

But the British Boxing Board of Control said the WBC’s decision ‘does not affect the ongoing implementation’ of the rules.

A statement read: “The British Boxing Board of Control Limited is aware that the WBC has considered two positive findings in relation to Mr. Conor Benn who, at the time the appropriate sample was taken in 2022, already has a license with the BBBoC. The BBBoC has not been a party to the review carried out by the WBC and has not been presented with the evidence submitted for Mr. Benn.

‘WBC is a sanctioning body and not a governing body’

“The BBBoC understands that the WBC has concluded its own review in at least one of two positive findings and has reached its own decision, published today on February 22, 2023. For clarity, while the BBBoC wants to clarify that it respects the WBC, the WBC is a sanctioning body and not a governing body The BBBoC is Mr. Benn’s licensed governing body at the time, and as such, any suspected anti-doping violation will be dealt with in accordance with its rules and regulations.

“The BBBoC has adopted the British Anti-Doping Rules published by UK Anti-Doping, and that is part of the rules that Mr. Benn is bound by. So, the decision of the WBC does not affect the active implementation of the BBBoC’s rules (and those of the UKAD).

“The UK Anti-Doping Rules define what conduct constitutes an Anti-Doping Rule Violation as defined in the rules (and in the World Anti-Doping Code) and specifically defines the circumstances under which such violations can be committed in a strict manner. liability.”