Home Boxing News Conor Benn set to return this weekend after drug debacle

Conor Benn set to return this weekend after drug debacle

Conor Benn

Welterweight Conor ‘The Destroyer’ Benn 21-0 (14) has been a surprise addition to the Richardson Hitchins 16-0 (7) versus Jose Zepeda 37-3 (28) card at Caribe Royale Orlando in Orlando, Florida on Saturday night.

Benn will take on 24-year-old Mexican Rodolfo ‘Sinaloita’ Orozco 32-3-3 (24) over 10 rounds.

It will be Benn’s first bout in almost 18 months following his positive drug test for banned substance clomifene last year, forcing the cancellation of his October bout against arch nemesis Chris Eubank Jr 33-3 (24).

The 26-year-old Brit was formally charged by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) in April and provisionally banned before the National Anti-Doping Panel cleared him of any wrongdoing in July.

Both UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) have appealed the decision.

While this plays out in the United Kingdom, the son of two-weight world champion Nigel Benn will continue his career abroad.

“Conor Benn is back and I’m looking forward to seeing him pick up where he left off,” promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing said. “He’s ready to go straight in for a big fight now but his trainer Tony Sims will be pleased to get him back sooner against a game opponent in Rodolfo Orozco.

“Conor is looking unbelievable in the gym and I cannot wait to see him back in the ring where he belongs on what is a fantastic fight card in Florida.”

Benn said: “I am undefeated in the ring, and in spirit. A return on Saturday is a step closer to redemption. After that, I’m putting the 147-160 divisions on notice. You are looking at a determined man with a deep desire to beat them all.”

Orozco said: “I want to thank Matchroom and BXSTRS for this opportunity. This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for. This isn’t short notice for me because I’ve been preparing for this moment my entire life. You’ve made a mistake Conor and I’ll show you that this Saturday.”

Earlier in the week rival promoter Frank Warren questioned why Benn has not been called on to explain how the clomifene got into his system.

“There has been no hearing for him to explain why those prohibited substances he tested positive for where in his system,” the Queensberry Promotions boss told talkSPORT.

“He has given no explanation to UKAD who do that on behalf of the board. He has not done that. They had a hearing where they argued quite successfully — his lawyer is a top guy — about jurisdiction. It shouldn’t be about jurisdiction. It should be ‘Why is that in your system? How did it get in there? Please give us a valid explanation and by the way, we want to look at the B sample as well.’

“If he’s got any respect for boxing and the people around him have got any respect for boxing, they should go through the process.

“I’m not saying that because I’m the opposition. I’m saying it because the furor and all the uncertainty and nonsense that has gone down for the last 18 months or so has damaged boxing and he’s the catalyst for it and he’s the catalyst to make himself right.

“If he says he’s not been juicing, then have the hearing with UKAD.”