'I want to make up for lost time': Conor Benn breaks his silence

‘I want to make up for lost time’: Conor Benn breaks his silence with the first of his doping verdicts looming following positive drugs test which saw Chris Eubank Jnr bout cancelled, as Brit vows to become world champion in 2023

  • Conor Benn broke his silence and took to social media to discuss his situation
  • He tested positive for a banned substance before his fight with Chris Eubank Jr
  • The 26-year-old says he has ‘never cut corners or cheated the grind in any way’ 
  • He added: ‘My team has proven my innocence and the truth will soon come out’

Conor Benn has broken his silence and taken to social media to discuss the ongoing investigation into his positive drugs test, claiming he has ‘never cut corners or cheated the grind in any way’.

Sportsmail exclusively revealed on October 6 that the 26-year-old had tested positive for banned substance clomifene, leading to his October 8 bout with Chris Eubank Jnr at London’s O2 Arena being cancelled. 

Clomifene is a women’s fertility drug which is classified under hormone and metabolic regulators and can increase testosterone in men.

As a result, Benn is being investigated by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and the WBC, but the latter are expected to return their verdict on their investigation by the end of the month. The UKAD investigation is much further from reaching a verdict.

Conor Benn (above) has broken his silence and taken to social media to discuss the ongoing investigation into his positive drugs test

Sportsmail’s Riath Al-Samarrai broke the exclusive of Benn’s positive drugs test on October 6

Benn has maintained his innocence ever since the news broke. However, he has refrained from speaking publicly due to the ongoing investigation. His promoter Eddie Hearn has also abstained from speaking in detail about the situation. 

However, Benn has taken to social media to speak about the situation. He discussed the impact it was having on his mental health and pleaded his innocence. 

 

The statement read: ‘I want to start by saying this has been a very difficult time – not just for me, but my family and my team. I couldn’t have got through this without the love and support of those closest to me and my supporters who have stood by me, I am forever grateful.

Benn’s failed tests led to his grudge match with Chris Eubank Jr being cancelled at late notice

‘My team and I have worked extremely hard over the past seven years to make me the fighter I am today, we have never cut corners or cheated the grind in any way. We believe in work ethic, determination and pure heart to achieve what we have set out to accomplish.

‘It’s been really hard for me to accept that people think that I would do what I was accused of but what I’ve come to realise is people rush to judgement, without knowing the facts especially people in the boxing community (and, most disappointingly, even those that know me).

‘Although I’ve kept away from social media, I’m well aware of those who have thrown dirt on my name. I’ll forgive but I won’t forget.

‘Tony Sims has had a clean gym for 26 years, I respect the gym. No one is bigger than the gym! Hard work and dedication is what we stand for. We don’t condone cheating or cutting corners.

Benn is being investigated by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and The WBC – who are expected to return their verdict on their investigation by the end of the month

‘I’m thankful to my dad who has been with me through this whole period and I’m glad this nightmare is coming to an end for the sake of our combined mental health. 

‘Never did we think we’d go through something like this but they say the hardest fight is life and the adversity it brings. I want to make up for lost time and not let another moment go to waste.

‘Boxing is my life. I’ve been through hardships in my career before but nothing like this, I believe in life you go through adversity of all kinds but what matters most is how you respond. 

‘I’ve stayed in the gym and continued to work extremely hard, staying positive that my innocence will be proven and the truth will come out.

‘My team has proven my innocence and the truth will soon come out. Until then, I won’t be commenting further due to confidentiality.

‘There were times I feared it never would but we all had faith. I’m thankful to everyone who has supported me through this tough time. tough times don’t last, tough people do. We keep it moving and will continue to chase the end goal of being world champion – it’s a minor setback for a major comeback.

‘For now, I am looking forward to sharing Christmas privately with my family and I will be back in January. See you all in 2023, the year I become world champion!’.

Benn’s promoter Hearn recently said the finding would ‘surprise’ a lot of people

Meanwhile Hearn recently told iD Boxing: ‘I can’t wait because I think a lot of people will be surprised by what’s about to come out about Conor Benn. 

‘I think he’s going to be fighting sooner than you think. If he does receive a ban, which from the information that we have, I don’t think it’s necessarily it’s fair.

‘But if it is, I don’t think it’s going to be a long ban at all. I don’t want to be too cocksure, but I think it’s going to be really interesting about what comes out here.

‘I think there’s a very good chance that he won’t be receiving a ban. Again, I can’t say too much, but that information. This is an independent [investigation].

‘This is a legal system that is being rolled through people with all the news and facts. In my opinion, from what I’ve seen, if there is a ban, it cannot be a sizable ban from the facts that will be produced.’




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