Conor Benn relinquishes boxing licence

British boxer, Conor Benn, has voluntarily relinquished his boxing licence after the misconduct allegations against him were upheld. This is coming just weeks after his fixture against Chris Eubank Jr was postponed after Benn tested positive for using clomifene, a fertility drug that raises testosterone levels in men. The now-cancelled fixture with Eubank was sanctioned by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC), who deemed that the fixture was “not in the interests of boxing.” 

A hearing was conducted on October 21, where the allegations against Benn were upheld, leading to him relinquishing his license. 

A statement from the BBBoC on Wednesday reads: “Conor Benn was called by the Board of the BBBofC to attend a hearing to deal with allegations of misconduct pursuant to Rule 25.1.1. The hearing took place on 21st October 2022. On the morning of the hearing, Mr. Benn voluntarily relinquished his licence with the BBBofC.

“In accordance with its Rules and Regulations, the Board determined the allegations following the hearing at which Mr. Benn was legally represented.

“The allegations of misconduct against Mr. Benn were upheld.”

Benn, however, took to Instagram, in posts made in the third person, to refute the allegations against him and said that his boxing licence lapsed and he was the one who chose not to renew it. He said: “Conor decided not to renew his licence (which had lapsed). Conor told the Board that if it did not accept that his licence had lapsed, then he renounces it.

“He strongly refutes the allegation of misconduct (which, for the avoidance of doubt, is *not* in relation to the VADA issue) and firmly believes that an independent tribunal will reach a wholly different conclusion.

“At an appropriate time, Conor will speak out on this and on the doping allegation to the extent that he can whilst legal proceedings are ongoing. In the meantime, he reiterates, in no uncertain terms, that he is a clean athlete.”

Until he gets back his licence, Benn, who has 21 wins and no losses so far, would not be allowed to fight any professional matches, and that could take a long time. 

Leon Osamor