The head of Matchroom Boxing, 43, has reached out in the US about the possibility of obtaining a boxing licence for embattled fighter Conor, 26, even though investigations into his positive results last year for clomifene in two separate tests remain incomplete.
Clomifene can boost testosterone levels by up to 50 percent, but Eddie said he believes Conor will get an American licence in as little as a fortnight.
He told ‘The DAZN Boxing Show’: “Behind the scenes, talking from a boxing perspective, we will now make a decision where we will apply for a license for Conor Benn to fight.
“It could be Nevada, it could be New York, it could be Britain, it could be an international license.
“Ultimately, we want to get him back in the ring, probably in June.”
A source had said Matchroom, which promotes Conor, had contacted Jeff Mullen, the executive director of the Nevada Commission to try and get Conor a licence.
Eddie added: “I will only look to get him licensed in countries that have some relevance.
“For example, it’s very likely his next fight will be in America, so we move forward with an American commission.
“Also his family live in Australia, and he spends a great amount of time there, so Australia could be an option.
“I’m not going to Luxembourg or somewhere that doesn’t have relevance to his career. There have been preliminary talks with (US) commissions… about a month ago.”
A WBC ruling said it had accepted what it called a “reasonable explanation” that Conor’s positive test for clomifene had been caused by a “highly elevated consumption of eggs”.
But the boxer – who has not fought since demolishing Chris Van Heerden, 35, in two rounds last April – is still being investigated by the British Boxing Board of Control and United Kingdom Anti-Doping, which will decide whether he will get a ban.
It emerged on Friday (03.03.23) boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is plotting a return to the ring at the age of 44 – and could face Conor in his comeback clash.
His advisor Sean Gibbons told ‘iD Boxing’: "Manny is looking to return to the ring in exhibitions and real fights, but the consensus between all parties is that until Conor Benn gets a green light from the WBC or whatever party is overseeing this investigation on the suspension, until he is completely cleared nobody really wants to talk about it.”
