Conor Benn's suspension for two positive drugs tests is REIMPOSED as the Brit's future is plunged into further doubt... with BBoC confirming they have won appeal against decision to clear fighter

Conor Benn's suspension for two positive drugs tests has been reimposed, plunging his future into further doubt.

The British Boxing Board of Control on Friday night confirmed Mail Sport's story from March 26 that they had won their appeal against the National Anti-Doping Panel decision last year to clear Benn to return to the ring.

In a statement, they said the 27-year-old is now 'provisionally' unable to fight on any card that is 'organised, convened, authorised or recognised by the BBBoC or any other World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport'.

The Board added: 'Mr Benn's case remains before the independent National Anti-Doping Panel and the case will now progress in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules.'

It amounts to a major setback for Benn, who has fought twice abroad since his two failed tests came to light in October 2022. Amid the long-running legal drama to clear his name, Benn had been pushing for a bout with Manny Pacquiao this year.

Benn, who has pointed towards accidental contamination for the discovery of clomifene in two of his samples in 2022, has not appeared in a British ring since April 2022.

The Board's stance is that he should not be licensed to fight here until he has been cleared via a definitive explanation of how the substance entered his system.

When the NADP opted last July to lift Benn's initial suspension, the fighter heralded the ruling as a 'vindication' of his innocence, though sources around the time told Mail Sport that their hearing had not focused on an examination of the science.

Part of the argument deployed back then by Benn's legal team is believed to have nosed on the right of UK Anti-Doping to rule on samples collected by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.