Conor Benn’s return to the ring has been confirmed for Saturday night in Orlando – despite the unresolved doping case that could yet see him banned from the sport.
The 26-year-old will face little-known Mexican Rodolfo Orozco in what will be his first fight since twice testing positive for clomifene in 2022.
Although his suspension in Britain was lifted by the National Anti-Doping Panel in July, the fighter is still facing a potential two-year ban in this country pending the outcome of appeals against that decision by the British Boxing Board of Control and UK Anti-Doping, as first reported by Mail Sport.
Benn has previously pointed to that NADP ruling as a ‘vindication’ of his innocence, though sources have told Mail Sport that the hearing did not focus on the key question of how the banned substance entered his body.
One strand of the argument deployed by Benn’s legal team is believed to have nosed on the right of UKAD to rule on samples collected by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
Conor Benn (above) will be back in action on Saturday on the Richardson Hitchins vs Jose Zepeda undercard following his 17-month absence from the ring
Benn worked out at an Orlando Boxing Gym in Florida on Tuesday ahead of his upcoming bout
The 26-year-old will face Rodolfo Orozco on the undercard of Hitchins’ clash with Zepeda
Benn will fight on the Richardson Hitchins vs Jose Zepeda undercard following his time out
As such, Benn’s return on a licence granted by the Texas State Athletic Commission will be seen as contentious.
Benn has not held a licence with the British Boxing Board of Control since he gave it up in the grisly aftermath of his positive tests being made public by Mail Sport last October.
The fight against Orozco will see Benn resume his career after a 17-month hiatus, with a view to resurrecting his postponed showdown against Chris Eubank Jr in December.
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.’
Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn said: ‘Conor Benn is back and I’m looking forward to seeing him pick up where he left off.
‘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.’
Benn had been cleared to return to the ring following the verdict of UKAD’s investigation
Benn’s grudge match with Chris Eubank Jr (left) was axed last year after the failed drugs test
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