Conor Benn is CHARGED by UKAD over his two positive drugs tests

Conor Benn has been formally charged by UK Anti-Doping in a move that raises the possibility of a two-year ban for his two positive drugs tests.

In a rare step, UKAD publicly announced the development on Thursday, following Mail Sport’s report that the fighter had begun co-operating with investigators.

UKAD, who confirmed Benn was provisionally suspended on March 15, said a charge was issued on April 3 under article 2.2 of their rules around ‘use’ of a banned substance.

Significantly, that gives them the option of applying the standard of strict liability to Benn’s case, which makes an athlete responsible for what is found in their system.

In the instance of Benn, who twice provided positive samples for clomifene to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, that could amount to a two-year ban, if he is found guilty.

Conor Benn has been formally charged by UKAD after twice failing a drugs test last year 

His positive tests for clomifene led to his bout against Chris Eubank Jr being scrapped last year

Following the charge, Benn will now be required to provide evidence for his defence. He has previously refused to hand over a dossier he used in a more narrow enquiry by the World Boxing Council, citing ‘pride’.

But as revealed by Mail Sport on Tuesday, he has since complied, though it is not currently known if he will persevere with claims of a flawed testing procedure, which were rejected by the WBC.

Benn has maintained his innocence and attempted to play down the latest step in the saga, tweeting on Thursday: ‘Another day, another attempt to create a headline with my name.

Benn has always stressed his innocence and was cleared by the WBC in Feburary – though he remained under investigation and banned by the BBBofC 

Benn remains adamant that he is free to fight on foreign shores despite the suspension

‘I am involved in a confidential procedure and I have respected my confidentiality obligations. Yet each day brings a new leak and a misrepresentation of what is actually happening.

‘There is no news. Being ‘charged’ is a start of a process by which an athlete has to defend themselves. I have not been sanctioned by anyone and I am not banned from boxing. I remain free to fight in events that are not sanctioned by the BBBoC (British Boxing Board of Control). I don’t even have a BBBoC licence.’

Despite Benn’s protestations, the ramifications of a fight involving a Board licence holder – including opponents, trainers and his promoter Eddie Hearn – would potentially be serious if he proceeds with plans to fight abroad under the cover of a different sanctioning body.

That could involve the suspension of a licence, while it might also be difficult to find a reputable commission to licence any bout in consideration of a temporary suspension handed down by Britain’s anti-doping authority.