And just when pieces were finally falling into place for Conor Benn, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) waved the red flag. The WBA Continental Welterweight Champion fights Mexican Rodolfo Orozco at Caribe Royale in Orlando on Saturday, September 23. The former returns after a year-long fight to clear his name after failing two Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) tests. But boxing’s premier governing body in Britain believes the time has not yet come.

Early this year, WBC cleared his name from ‘intentional doping.’ However, the United Kingdom Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) provisionally suspended him from all sporting activities in March. Relief came when the National Anti-Doping Panel voided the suspension in July. But both UKAD and BBBofC persisted in appealing the verdict. Conor Benn had surrendered his boxing license last year.

The story is not yet ready for a good ending

Amidst the recent developments, talks on Benn’s imminent return shot off. Finally, as it turned out, his name appeared against Rodolfo Orozco—the duo fight on the undercard of the Richardson Hitchins versus Jose Zepeda Super Lightweight feature on DAZN. Given the pertinent circumstances, the move must have taken many by surprise. The BBBofC finally came out with a statement that talkSPORT‘s Michael Benson shared yesterday.

The governing body’s representative stated that Conor Benn should not compete this weekend since he hasn’t cleared his name. The communication read, “He hasn’t cleared it. A number of issues are still outstanding, which everybody’s aware of. We’ve decided to appeal the [NADP] decision. But when Eddie Hearn says he’s cleared his name – we haven’t had an explanation of how the positive test came about, so I don’t quite agree with Eddie on that one… Personally, I don’t think he should be boxing until this matter is cleared.”

In April last year, Conor Benn fought off the eighth challenge to his title. In October, the son of legend Nigel Benn was set for a generational fight against Chris Eubank Jr., the son of another boxing great, Chris Eubank. However, the results of the tests threw a spanner in the works. It resulted in the postponement of the bout. Thereafter began the ordeal that saw his fortunes swinging from good to bad and then probably sitting on the fence.

Read More: “Only Thing You Destroyed Was Your Credibility”: Following His Fight Announcement, Conor Benn’s Explosive Training Clip Draws Mixed Reactions From Fans

What do you make from BBBofC statements? Is it right to put the brakes on his return at the last juncture? Please share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.

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