Conor Benn was provisionally suspended again after an appeal

LONDON (Reuters) – An interim ban has been reinstated for British welterweight Conor Benn following successful appeals by the British Anti-Doping Organization (UKAD) and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC).

UKAD had appealed the independent National Anti-Doping Panel’s decision to release Benn after he failed two voluntary doping tests in 2022 and was then suspended in March 2023.

BBBoC general secretary Robert Smith said Benn had been provisionally banned from participating in any capacity in any competition organized, convened, sanctioned or recognized by the BBBoC “or any other sport that complies with the World Anti-Doping Code”.

“UKAD and BBBoC were successful in their respective appeals against a decision by an arbitral tribunal of the independent National Anti-Doping Panel in July 2023,” he added.

“Following these successful appeals, Mr. Benn’s interim suspension was reinstated by the Court of Appeal.”

Smith said the case remains before the independent National Anti-Doping Panel and will be pursued in accordance with the UK’s anti-doping rules.

There was no comment from Benn’s promoter Matchroom. The boxer had previously expressed his innocence over the failed tests.