While Ryan Garcia‘s PED abuse and subsequent ban took the boxing world by storm, the topic caught fire and subsided as quickly as it took off. But nothing caused more pain and turmoil than the suffering of Conor Benn, who hasn’t been able to fight on his country’s soil for almost 2 years now. And his case might easily be one of the worst mismanagements by Eddie Hearn, who suffered a verbal onslaught for his actions by Victor Conte.

Benn, 27, was gearing up for the biggest fight of his career with Chris Eubank Jr. but the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) found traces of clomifene in his samples on two counts in 2022. The result? Immediate and indefinite suspension, as the investigations went on.

When an independent National Anti-Doping Panel left the suspension, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) soon tendered an appeal. And the temporal ban continued. What’s more? UKAD and BBBoC won the appeal recently, leading to more agony for the British boxer, who has fought in America twice during the whole debacle.

Victor Conte, 74, turned to his X handle and threw shade at Hearn. He wrote, “It seems @conornigel has been suspended since March 2023 or almost 18 months ago. After all the hyperbole by @eddiehearn this may be one of the worst handled doping cases in the history of boxing. @BBBofCuk and @ukantidoping have clearly showed them who is boss in UK boxing.”

Hearn, on the other hand, has already drawn parallels with the two cases of Garcia and Benn and believes the latter had to pay for his double-edged virtue. The Matchroom Boxing lynchpin told IFL TV, “The problem with Conor, and I admire him for it, but it has cost him—is his complete drive to prove his innocence.” Benn, at 23-0, has returned to normalcy and the boxing ring amidst the struggles of the ban on boxing in his country. However, it seems he has endured hardships that almost broke him emotionally.

Conor Benn shares his personal struggles as a result of the ban

In a conversation with Ariel Helwani, the Greenwich native admitted to feeling shame and also coming close to doing self-harm. But the boxer endured it and overcame it. He said, “I’ve never felt shame like it in my life. Even though I’ve never done it. I could walk in the gym. I could’ve gone anywhere. You know, but I’ve overcome that now.”

Benn fought and defeated Peter Dobson this February and the fans can expect him to make a return to the squared circle one more time this year. But it remains to be seen how the recent appeal loss affects his boxing plans. What do you make of this comment by Victor Conte about Eddie Hearn? Do you agree with him? Let us know in the comments below.