Conor Benn breaks silence on ‘eggs’ in fiery statement as he’s cleared of doping
Conor Benn has blamed testing procedures for his positive doping tests and insisted it was the WBC who claimed eggs as the explanation.
The British welterweight provided two samples which produced adverse analytical findings for banned substance clomiphene in July and September of last year.
Last week, the WBC released a statement stating they had decided the July sample they investigated was down to the “overconsumption of eggs”. But Benn, 26, is now pointing the finger at the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association for mistakes made in the testing procedure.
READ MORE: Conor Benn cleared over failed drugs test – with 'eggs' responsible for positive result
In a lengthy statement, he said: “In my defence to the WBC and the 270 page report I provided to them, at no point did I indicate that I failed any VADA tests because of contaminated eggs.
“As part of its lengthy investigation, the WBC instructed its own experts to review my supplements and diet, and they concluded that egg contamination was the likely cause. I have no reason to question their analysis when it concludes that I am not a cheat.”
The use of clomiphene in UK farming is not allowed. But Benn, who was due to face Chris Eubank Jnr on October 8 before the bout was called off owing to two failed tests, says the WBC statement did a “disservice to his defence”.
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He said his defence was “based on a comprehensive scientific review of the testing procedures” and added that it “set out a number of reasons” that the results were “completely unreliable”.
He said: “The report prepared by my science and legal team contained extensive analysis of both tests and concluded that there was clear evidence of fundamental flaws and irregularities. By the way of on example, my sample appears to have come back clear the first three times it was tested.
“Without explanation, it was tested again after nine days and only then did it show a trace positive result. It should only have been tested once. These critical findings were endorsed by an independent expert scientist who provides accreditation to laboratories, and his opinion was that the many issues were so troubling and serious that the lab could lose its accreditation.”
The statement also said: “The WBC have declared me innocent of being a drugs cheat. I am grateful for the ultimate finding.”
Benn also insisted he did request for the B sample to be tested at the earliest opportunity but his representative to witness it was not allowed into the room. He has claimed if he took the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport then “that alone would have meant the test results were dismissed”.
VADA were last night contacted for comment but did not respond by the time of writing. Benn continued: “My defence is not a technical defence to exploit a loophole. I am convinced the substance was never in my system and I certainly never knowingly ingested it.
“I am told it is something that supposedly stays in the body for months, and yet barely a week after failing a VADA test, I passed a UKAD test.”
Benn also hit out at the British Boxing Board of Control for and claimed they “attacked” him over the issue. The BBBofC are eager to investigate the two positive drug tests alongside UK Anti-Doping and claim that the boxer, who has not renewed his licence, has yet to hand over evidence.
Benn won’t be allowed to compete in the UK until he reapplies for his licence and goes through a UKAD investigation.
But Benn claimed in his statement all the “relevant information” was handed over in October when they informed Eubank Jr’s team of the failed test before their fight.
He also said that he believes he has proven his innocence.
Benn added: “I wouldn’t wish for my worst enemy to experience what me and my family have gone through, but next time I step into the ring I will be mentally tougher than I ever was before.”
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