The British Boxing Board of Control have released a statement in response to the WBC reinstating Conor Benn into their WBC rankings.
The development comes following the WBC’s announcement earlier today that “no conclusive evidence” was found to suggest Benn knowingly ingested the banned substance clomiphene.
The WBC accepted the consumption of large numbers of eggs as a reason behind the adverse findings registered in VADA tests in July and August of last year.
The BBBoC responded on Wednesday evening however, saying they were not involved in the WBC’s investigation and are still yet to receive any evidence from Benn’s team.
The statement also affirms the Board’s right to investigate Benn’s case as he was a license holder with them at the time
“The British Boxing Board of Control Limited (the “BBBoC”) is aware that the WBC has considered two positive findings in relation to Mr. Conor Benn who, at the time the relevant samples were taken in 2022, was a license holder with the BBBoC.
“The BBBoC has not been party to the review conducted by the WBC and has not been provided with any sight of evidence submitted on Mr Benn’s behalf.”
The Board also ensured to highlight the function of the WBC as a sanctioning body and not a governing body like the BBBoC.
“The BBBoC is aware that the WBC has concluded its own review into at least one of the two positive findings and reached its own decision, published today 22nd February 2023.
“For clarity, whilst the BBBoC wishes to make clear that it respects the WBC, the WBC is a sanctioning body and not a governing body.
“The BBBoC was the governing body with whom Mr Benn was licensed at the material time, and as such any alleged anti-doping violation shall be dealt with in accordance to its own rules and regulations.
“The BBBoC has adopted the UK Anti-Doping Rules published by UK Anti-Doping, and those formed part of the rules to which Mr Benn was bound. As such, the decision of the WBC does not affect the ongoing implementation of the BBBoC’s rules (and those of UKAD).”
Finally, the Board alludes that a ban may be handed out even if Benn was ruled to have unknowingly ingested the banned substance clomiphene:
“The UK Anti-Doping Rules make clear what conduct constitutes an Anti-Doping Rule Violation as defined in those rules (and in the World Anti-Doping Code) and specifically set out the circumstances in which such violations can be committed by way of strict liability.”
The BBBoC and UKAD have been carrying out their own investigation since Benn tested positive for trace amounts of the female fertility drug in July and September of last year.
Benn could be banned from fighting on British shores for a period of up to four years if they rule against him.
Robert Smith, General Secretary of the Board, recently told talkSPORT that they are yet to receive the 270-page document Benn submitted to the WBC in December.
Thanks for reading and watching, hope you come back soon. Please Follow us on Social Media for updates…
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/britishboxers_bbtv
Twitter: https://twitter.com/britishboxers
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/britishboxers
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/britishboxersuk
boxing #britishboxing
