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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Liam Prenderville

Conor Benn relinquishes boxing licence following failed drugs test before Chris Eubank Jr fight

Conor Benn has given up his boxing licence by the British Boxing Board of Control after his failed drugs test.

The Brit had been due to face off against Chris Eubank Jr earlier this month but the fight was postponed after Benn returned a test for banned substance clomifene.

The BBBofC insisted the contest was prohibited from taking place, forcing the plug to be pulled just days before it was due to take place.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that he had relinquished his license at a hearing last week while a hearing over "allegations of misconduct" against Benn had been upheld.

But the Brit hit back and again maintained his innocence, instead hitting back at the BBBofC for their conduct in the hearing.

The statement issued read: "Conor's focus at this time is solely on clearing his name. The Board, however, has made it extremely difficult for Conor to focus on doing that by its conduct of an unfair and biased procedure. In such circumstances, Conor decided not to renew his licence (which had lapsed).

"Conor told the Board that if it did not accept that his licence had lapsed, then he renounces it.

"He strongly refutes the allegation of misconduct (which for the avoidance of doubt is not in relation to the VADA issue) and firmly believes that an independent tribunal will reach a wholly different conclusion.

"At the appropriate time Conor will speak out on this and on the doping allegation, to the extent that he can whilst legal proceedings are ongoing. In the meantine, he reiterates, in no uncertain terms, that he is a clean athlete."

Benn tested positive for the banned substance, fertility drug clomiphene, which increases testosterone levels in males.

Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn were due to face off (Getty Images)

A statement from the BBBofC read: "By a notice dated 17th October 2022, Mr Conor Benn was called by the Board of the BBBofC to attend a hearing to deal with allegations of misconduct pursuant to Rule 25.1.1. The hearing took place on 21st October 2022.

"On the morning of the hearing, Mr Benn voluntarily relinquished his licence with the BBBofC.

"In accordance with its Rules and Regulations, the Board determined the allegations following the hearing at which Mr. Benn was legally represented. The allegations of misconduct against Mr. Benn were upheld."

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