Conor Benn to return to WBC rankings as 'highly-elevated consumption of eggs' explanation for failed drugs test

Conor Benn is to return to the WBC rankings after it was deemed his "highly-elevated consumption of eggs" was a "reasonable explanation" for his failed drugs test last year.

Benn tested positive for a banned substance ahead of a bout with Chris Eubank Jr, that had been scheduled to take place in October last year at a catchweight.

After the adverse findings were uncovered the British Boxing Board of Control prohibited Benn's bout with Eubank from taking place and the promoters eventually cancelled it.

The WBC removed Benn from their world rankings after he failed the VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) testing.

But on Wednesday, after Benn had appealed, they reinstated him.

Benn remains under investigation by UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control and while that is ongoing he would not be licensed to box in the UK.

However it is possible that he would be able to find another country and an alternative jurisdiction to box in.

A WBC statement read: "Conor Benn completed his enrollment process in the WBC Clean Boxing Program in February of 2022. Enrollment in the WBC CBP is mandatory for all fighters rated in the top 15 in the WBC Ratings. Accordingly, he was enrolled in the WBC CBP's out-of-competition anti-doping testing in July of 2022, when the collection of the samples to which the WBC Ruling being announced herein pertains took place.

"On August 23, 2022, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association ("VADA") notified Mr. Benn and the World Boxing Council ("WBC") that the urine "A Sample" collected from him on July 25, 2022, in connection with his participation in the WBC/VADA anti-doping testing program yielded an adverse analytical finding for Clomiphene and its hydroxymetabolites MI and M2.

"Clomiphene and its metabolites are banned substances at all times under the WBC CBP. Clomiphene is a metabolic modulator which promotes testosterone production and boost testosterone levels while burning fat.

"On August 30, 2022, the WBC notified Mr. Benn of the Adverse Finding and requested information and materials necessary to investigate the circumstances thereof. The WBC did not receive a substantive response until December of 2022.