Nigel Benn reveals they found ‘traces’ of banned substance in Conor’s system ‘THREE MONTHS ago’

Nigel Benn appears to have disclosed that his son Conor first produced an adverse finding in a drugs test as far back as three months ago – before later attempting to correct himself.

The potentially significant development in Conor Benn’s doping case came in Doncaster on Saturday evening as part of his father’s speaking tour with Chris Eubank Sr.

While on stage, video footage shows Nigel Benn addressing the audience about the saga. He said: ‘There is so much that I would love to say because we knew about this three months ago when they said there was a trace.

‘We are paying for our own scientists to go out there and sort this out. I know my son. My DNA is in him. You all know me.’

Benn tweeted on Monday morning to correct himself, writing, ‘sorry I meant 3 weeks’ followed by thumbs up and laughing emojis. 

Sportsmail revealed earlier this month that Benn had failed a test via the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association on September 1, with the notification received on September 23. A notification three months ago would date to around July.

Benn (R) failed a drugs test in the build-up to the cancelled clash against Chris Eubank Jr (L)

Benn tested positive for banned substance clomifene in the build-up to the mega-fight

We have contacted Benn’s promoters, Matchroom, for comment on Nigel Benn’s remarks.

Conor Benn maintains he is clean despite testing positive for the banned substance Clomifene, which has triggered an investigation by UK Anti-Doping. While he hasn’t been charged with a violation, he could yet face a ban of up to four years if he is found to have doped.

In one of the most explosive episodes in the recent history of British boxing, Benn’s positive ultimately triggered the cancellation of his £15million fight with Chris Eubank Jr on October 8. 

Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn has since drawn furious criticism for exploring ways to keep the fight alive, while the British Boxing of Control has also been slammed for not publicly announcing their opposition to the bout until October 5 – several hours after Sportsmail broke the story.

The decision for Nigel Benn and Eubank Sr to hold a speaking tour at a time when so much is uncertain has raised eyebrows. Speaking in Coventry on Friday, Nigel Benn insisted his son would be vindicated, saying: ‘I am behind my son. If I thought my son ever took performance enhancing drugs I would hang him out to dry. I have worked hard to get my name where it is today but I know my son. He is a dedicated fighter. He would not take drugs.

The pair of sons were set to follow in the footsteps of their famous fathers (pictured above)

Nigel had been working alongside Conor throughout camp as they geared up for the fight

‘We will get to the bottom of this scientifically, so I am not going to say anything that contradicts what will come out. Me and my wife will stay out of this. Let the lawyers and scientists deal with this, but I just pray to the god that the apologies are as loud as the media that threw my son under the bus.’

Sportsmail revealed on Saturday that Benn is understood to have enlisted renowned sports lawyer Mike Morgan to handle his case. Morgan famously cleared Chris Froome from a potential two-year ban after the cyclist exceeded the permitted levels of the asthma medication salbutamol, with the World Anti-Doping Agency ultimately satisfied after a nine-month investigation in 2018 that it did not constitute an adverse analytical finding. 

Morgan was also recruited by Tyson Fury ahead of his backdated ban for a nandrolone positive, and has previously helped clear the cyclist Lizzie Armistead of a charge for three ‘whereabouts failures’ within a 12-month period.

Eddie Hearn came under fire for trying to get the fight to go ahead despite the positive test