Conor Benn returns to the UK ring after drug test suspension lift
- Conor Benn's suspension was lifted by the National Anti-Doping Panel last month.
- The UK Anti-Doping and British Board of Boxing Control chose not to appeal this decision.
- Benn is now eligible for a world title shot and has been endorsed by the WBC president.
In the United Kingdom, professional boxer Conor Benn has officially been cleared to fight again after a lengthy suspension due to failed drug tests in 2022. The National Anti-Doping Panel lifted his suspension last month, allowing Benn to return to competitive boxing on home soil. The UK Anti-Doping and British Board of Boxing Control chose not to appeal this decision, paving the way for Benn's comeback. This development marks a significant turning point for the 28-year-old, who has not fought in the UK since his positive tests, which led to the cancellation of his highly anticipated bout against Chris Eubank Jr. two years ago. Benn's last appearance in the ring was in February 2024, when he achieved a unanimous decision victory over Pete Dobson in Las Vegas. That fight brought his professional record to 23 wins, with 14 victories coming via knockout. Now that his suspension has been lifted, Benn is keen to engage in significant bouts that fulfill both his ambitions and the desires of boxing fans. Mauricio Sulaiman, the president of the World Boxing Council (WBC), has expressed his support for Benn's aspirations, stating that he deserves to compete for a world title soon. The possibility of Benn facing current WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios is a prospect being discussed if negotiations for a rematch with Chris Eubank Jr. do not materialize. The boxing community has seen increasing interest in a potential bout between Benn and Barrios, especially considering Benn's recent assertions about his dedication and discipline over the last two years. Barrios, who has a record of 29 wins from 32 fights, with 18 wins by knockout, also recently retained his WBC title in a closely contested match that ended in a draw. As both fighters are looking to establish their dominance, a matchup would undoubtedly attract significant attention and could serve as a defining moment in both of their careers. With Benn's return to the UK scene and the endorsement from the WBC, the boxing community is eager to see how his fight career will progress moving forward, especially after the challenges he faced in the past.