Conor Benn cruised to a unanimous-decision points victory on his eagerly-awaited return to boxing in Orlando on Saturday night.
Benn had been out of the ring for 17 months after failing two drugs tests in the lead-up to his proposed mega-fight with Chris Eubank Jr last October.
Despite his suspension in Britain being lifted by the National Anti-Doping Panel in July, the British Boxing Board of Control remain adamant that he has not yet cleared his name, and the fighter still faces a potential two-year ban in his home country pending the outcome of appeals.
Nevertheless, Benn was free to get his career back up and running over in the States, meaning promoter Eddie Hearn found room for him on DAZN’s Richardson Hitchins vs Jose Zepeda card in Orlando this weekend.
Conor Benn cruised to a unanimous-decision points win on his long-awaited return to boxing
Benn got the better of little-known Mexican Rodolfo Orozco over 10 rounds in Orlando
And up against little-known Mexican Rodolfo Orozco at 154lbs – seven pounds higher than his typical welterweight limit – the 26-year-old dusted off the cobwebs before claiming a comfortable win after 10 competitive rounds.
Benn rocked Orozco with a number of crisp right hands throughout the contest, yet he also had to endure a few hairy moments himself, particularly in the eighth round.
Yet when the final bell sounded, he had done more than enough to mark his return to the sport with a victory on Saturday night.
Two judges scored the bout 99-91 in his favor, with the other opting for a closer 96-94 verdict.
‘We didn’t want a walk in the park,’ Benn said after the win. ‘I needed the rounds. I’ve had a year and [five] months out of the ring, so for me it was about getting back in there and handling business.
‘Yeah it would’ve been nice to get the stoppage. I saw the openings, I took it… but he’s a true Mexican.’
On his current situation in the UK, Benn said: ‘Listen, it’s unbelievable fighting out here and I get shown a lot of love out here and I’m grateful for the American supporters.
‘But Britain’s my home so it’s only right that I fight back there – sooner rather than later.’