Conor Benn has released a statement in response to the World Boxing Council verdict on his failed doping tests.

The undefeated welterweight highlighted ‘serious and troubling’ issues with the testing process, despite the sanctioning body clearing him of knowingly ingesting a banned substance.

Benn (21-0, 14 KOs) has long maintained his innocence, since the positive test was brought to light back in October 2022, and the WBC cited his high consumption of eggs as a ‘reasonable explanation’ for clomiphene being found in his system.

And he has now given his side of the story in a lengthy social media post which was published on Tuesday night.

“The WBC have declared me innocent of being a drugs cheat. I am grateful for the ultimate finding. It was the right decision and it was the only one I was willing to accept,” the 26-year-old said on Instagram. “My only frustration is that the manner in which I’ve been cleared has seemed to create further questions and add further fuel to baseless negative speculation.”

“In my defense to the WBC and the 270-page report provided to them, at no point did I indicate that I failed any VADA tests because of contaminated eggs.”

The positive tests being returned and being brought to public knowledge by a national newspaper article caused Benn’s planned catchweight clash against Chris Eubank Jr., set at 157lbs at the O2 Arena in London, exclusively live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, to be postponed at the 11th-hour after the British Boxing Board of Control prohibited the contest.

Benn stated that there was what he called “clear evidence of fundamental flaws and irregularities” in the testing process and that he requested the B sample for the two tests, but claims that a representative of his was refused entry to the process.

“These critical findings were endorsed by an independent expert scientist who provides accreditation to laboratories, and his opinion was that the many issues were so troubling and serious that the lab could lose its accreditation,” the statement continued. “My team will be referring the issues to the relevant accrediting body so it can make its own determination.

“For what it’s worth, and contrary to the media speculation at the time, I requested the B samples be tested at the earliest opportunity. Because of the importance of trying to get to the bottom of what had happened I arranged for a scientist to fly across the world to attend the testing procedure in person (as you’re allowed to do under the rules) and unbelievably she was not even allowed to be in the room when the test results came through. How’s that for transparency?”

Benn now says that his focus is on rebuilding his career and getting back in the ring sooner rather than later, with the fighter’s promoter Eddie Hearn stating recently that he could box in the Middle East in the summer having voluntarily relinquished his British Boxing Board of Control license at the beginning of this ugly saga.