CONOR BENN wiped away the tears as he launched the fight to rescue his battered reputation.
The 26-year-old welterweight — the son of British legend Nigel — is battling to save his career after his bout with Chris Eubank Jr was dramatically called off this month.
Conor Benn says dealing with British boxing chiefs has turned into a nightmare
Conor Benn revealed he hates being seen as the villain because he is innocent
Trace amounts of female fertility drug clomifene were found in his urine from Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency tests given on July 25 and September 1.
Benn has refused to allow the British Boxing Board of Control to share his data in the escalating dispute about the confidentiality and jurisdiction of his VADA tests.
Relinquishing his BBBofC licence will look like an admission of guilt to some.
Promoter Eddie Hearn believes he might have to serve a short ban, to quench a thirst for punishment among fans who are sick of concussive punchers getting slaps on the wrist for drug violations.
In Benn’s corner is a thorough timeline of events, low levels of the substance found in his system, a range of later VADA and UK Anti-Doping tests that he passed, an expert doping lawyer in Mike Morgan — as well as plausible possible explanations from contaminated foods to faulty testing.
Speaking to SunSport in his first big interview since the drugs storm erupted, Benn promised he will not abuse a loophole and compete on a rival licence — or in another country — until the case against him is closed.
He said: “I wouldn’t want to fight without this being resolved. But should I really care about playing the system? I do, so I wouldn’t.
“But part of me thinks, if people are portraying me as the villain, I might as well be the villain. I haven’t really decided yet.
“I won’t fight until this is resolved, with a foreign licence or not. Whether people believe it or not is not down to me. But there comes a stage where you harden and think, ‘Eff you, then’.
“I don’t want to get to there but I also don’t want to keep getting hurt by this. It’s horrible dealing with this at 26 after working so hard every day.
“I wonder if I can ever fight again right now. But I cannot let them win.
“I could get fit enough, I could just compartmentalise, switch off and focus on the training. But I didn’t want to be the villain because I am innocent.
“I just want my innocence to be proven. I don’t care about the Board.
“I could fight in another county in February — but I don’t want to do that because it looks like I am running away. I hope this is well cleared up by then.
“I don’t know if this is a battle I can win, so then I think about just playing the villain.
“It baffles me that people think I have cheated after seeing me on TV for so long, what I am like with my team, family and dad. Am I serial liar?”
A VADA test taken on July 25 came back with an adverse finding towards the end of August but Benn’s camp treated the red flag as an accident or error.
They continued with his training camp while his team and lawyers tried to explain the issue.
But a second test taken on September 1 and reported on September 23 triggered more alarm bells.
Benn feared he was spiked by someone in or around some of the gyms he uses.
He has even researched clomifene and discovered it is being used to boost egg production in chickens.
Benn’s camp now believe contamination was the cause — but they still have a battle on their hands in trying to prove it.
He said: “I was informed (of the first fail) and I thought, ‘It’s probably a faulty test’.
“I thought, ‘We’ll get to the bottom of it’. We’re still trying to do that. We’re making progress.
“But the way it’s been blown up has affected me so much. My innocence will be proven. It has to be.
“I passed all my UKAD tests, which people aren’t talking about. I’ve passed all my tests in and out of camp. I’ve been a professional for seven years and never failed a test.
“I signed up to VADA in February, so it doesn’t make any sense. Why would I take something then?
“Trace amounts were found. The tiniest of traces. The only thing I can think of is contamination.
“I’ve not taken anything. I never have done, never would. It’s not what I stand for, it’s not what my team stands for.
“Why would I take the biggest fight of my life, sign up to VADA — voluntary anti-doping — and then take this substance?
“If you Google this substance, it stays in your system for months. Do I look like an idiot?”
Benn does not come across as an idiot.
He knows he can box in the UK on a foreign licence, he knows he could box abroad — and that if the WBC decide to ban him for failing their Clean Boxing Program, he has the WBA, IBF and WBO left to deal with.
But he concedes he cannot face fighting while there is still a dark cloud of doubt hanging over him.
Benn’s legal and scientific fees run into six figures and his mind races over all the possible causes of his red flags.
He added: “The traces were so low there was no benefit. The science will prove that.
“I’ve got the best scientists on this. And I am now spending a lot of money trying to prove my innocence here. A lot of money.
“You are talking about me really trying to prove my innocence and get to the bottom of what has happened here.
“I don’t want to run away from this, or hide, I shouldn’t need to. I shouldn’t need to revoke my licence. They forced me into a corner on this.
“My innocence matters to me. It hurts. It’s hard for me to explain what kind of pain this is.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits to boxing?
Boxing has many health benefits. Boxing builds strong bones and muscles. It improves your coordination and reflexes. It strengthens your heart, lungs and other vital organs. The best part about boxing? It doesn’t require special equipment. You can use almost anything around your home.
How do I practice boxing alone?
You can also watch professional boxing matches live on TV if you don’t have a partner and want to learn boxing. A local amateur boxing association is also available. Amateur boxesing clubs usually hold regular training sessions. These sessions are often attended by sparring partners who share the same pads.
You can also use punching bags to practice boxing. Before hitting the bag you should make sure you are wearing protective gear, such as gloves.
How long does learning to box take?
Boxing is one the oldest forms of martial arts. China recorded the first boxing match in 2200 BC. Boxing has existed for thousands upon thousands of generations. Today, boxing is still loved by celebrities and athletes. However, it takes around 10 to learn how to box.
Boxing involves many movements, which is why it can take so long to learn. To perform each movement properly, you need specific muscles. These muscles take time to build.
But once you’ve learned how to move your body, you can start practicing any type of boxing technique. As you get more proficient at each technique, you will be able to improve your skills.
How long do boxers train a day?
Boxing trainers work out for at least 4 hours each day. They learn new moves and practice their punches. Boxers often spar up to 10 times a week.
What’s the difference between a left cross and a left hook?
A left hook can be thrown from the side, and a right cross from the front.
A left hook can be thrown with the opponent’s back facing you. The elbow is bent 90°. The wrist is turned 45° toward opponent.
A right cross is when the opponent’s palm faces the opponent and the elbow straightens. The opponent’s wrist should be turned 45 degrees.
How can you improve your punching form?
Punching form is one of the most important parts of boxing. For you to become a better boxer, your punch technique must be perfected. Here are some ways to improve your boxing technique.
- Keep your head high. While throwing punches, keep your head up.
- Punch from your shoulder. Try to punch from the shoulder, not the chin when you throw a punch.
- Pay attention to your feet. Focus on your feet when punching.
- Use short punches that are quick. You will feel tired quicker if you throw longer punches.
- Don’t forget about defense! Remember to stop incoming punches.
- Use your elbows. To defend yourself, your elbows are a good option.
- You can learn to use your legs. Properly using your legs will help you avoid being knocked down.
- Always practice. Even though you may feel tired after training, keep going. You need practice to be successful at any task.
- Have fun Enjoy what you’re doing.
- Remember to breathe. Correct breathing will help you feel stronger and more energetic.
- Relax. Do not worry about making mistakes. Just focus on learning new things.
- Be patient. Boxing can be difficult. You will need to practice your boxing skills over time.
- Never stop improving. As long as there is room for improvement, there will be room for improvement.
- Listen to music. Listening to music during training can help you to relax and stay focused.
- View videos of professional fighters. You may be inspired to work harder by watching them compete.
- Read books. Reading helps you better understand boxing techniques.
- You need to take breaks. Sometimes, you need to take a break. Go outside and play basketball or soccer.
- Find a coach. Having a coach who knows boxing well can help you improve faster.
- Push-ups: Push-ups are great for building strength and endurance.
How much weight do I need to lift for a good workout?
Weight lifting is essential if you want to improve your strength. There are some things you need to remember when lifting weights. It is important to not do too much. Try to lift heavier weights every day. Third, you should do 8 repetitions of each exercise. Fourth, between sets, take 2 minutes to rest. Fifth, do all exercises without momentum. Finally, be focused on form, not speed.
Statistics
- This article received 39 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. (wikihow.com)
- It is just like normal sparring with a partner, but you want to throw punches at 75% of your normal speed. (wikihow.com)
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How To
Here are some basic skills in boxing
How to box efficiently
Boxing has become a very popular sport. Two opponents fight each other to the death. Each country has its own rules. There are three main types of boxing: Amateur boxing, Professional boxing, and Olympic boxing.
Amateur boxing may be done at school, college, and university. This boxing style includes sparring sessions without protection, using padded gloves. Usually amateur boxing competitions consist of three rounds of five minutes each. There are many different styles of amateur boxing including Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, Wrestling and others.
Professional boxing is usually practiced in gyms, clubs or stadiums. They wear protective equipment such as mouthpiece, nose guard, shin guards, elbow pads, knee pads, waist belt and groin protector. Professional boxing competitions consist of six rounds lasting four minutes each. There are many types of professional boxing. These include Boxing (MMA), Kickboxing (Mixed Martial Arts), Muay Thai and Taekwondo.
Olympic boxing can be seen at the Olympics. Boxers wear special protective gear, which must conform to international standards. The competition lasts eight rounds of three minutes each. Only two types of Olympic boxing are available: Light Flyweight or Heavyweight.
Boxing’s fundamental skills are:
- Punching techniques
- Guarding techniques
- Footwork
- Stance
- Move your body
- Defense
- Combination
- Rotation
- Spare parts
Punching Techniques
There are seven kinds of punches: Left Hook, Right Hook, Uppercut, Cross, Straight, Overhand and Underhand. Each punch comes with its own technique. Some punches require more strength than others. For example, an uppercut is a powerful punch. On the contrary, a straight punch takes less power but is faster than most punches.
There are many combinations of punches. These are combinations of punches that work together to achieve a specific goal. A combination may have multiple parts. For example, a left hook followed by a right cross will cause damage to the opponent’s jaw.
Guard Techniques
A boxer protects himself by using his body. He does so by using his arms, elbows and hands as well as his knees, knees and legs.
Legs
Boxers should use their legs to defend against kicks. When he’s hit, he raises his right leg and runs away from the attacker. To avoid being kicked on the sides, he bends at his knees when the attacker strikes from the front. He will block the kick with his foot if the attack is coming from behind.
Elbows
Elbow strikes are very powerful because they inflict great pain. An elbow strike can be delivered either directly or indirectly. Directly means you hit your opponent directly with your forearm. While indirectly, it means you hit him with another section of your arm.
Hands
Boxers use both their hands and arms to prevent incoming blows. Boxers use their hands to stop incoming punches. They raise their fists up above their heads and move towards the attack. The attacker’s fist is then in their face.
Knees
To absorb the impact of a punch to the stomach, abdomen, or chest, boxers should bend their knees. Knee strikes are often used for defense purposes.
Feet
If he is being attacked, a boxer must take a step back and counter-attack. This allows him to put distance between himself, his opponent, and the ring. Also, boxers must maintain their balance while delivering counter-attacks.
Stances
To box effectively, a boxer must establish a stance. The way he defends himself will be determined by his stance. It dictates how he places his body and faces his opponent. There are many positions that boxers can adopt. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Low stance
- High stance
- Southpaw stance
- Western stance
Moving your body
Boxers must maneuver around their opponent to win fights. This involves changing position, speed and rhythm.
Rotation
To increase his punching power, a boxer rotates when he throws a punch. Depending on what punch is being thrown, the speed of rotation varies.
Combinations
The timing of each punch will determine the effectiveness and efficiency of a combination. A combination of strong and weak punches will produce a good result.
Spare parts
Sparring is a practice session designed to improve boxing skills . Boxers learn to train their mind and bodies during sparring sessions. In conclusion, the purpose of sparring is to learn how to fight and not get hurt.
Learning to box takes dedication and patience. You need to train hard and long in order to become a better boxer.
