Conor Benn has explained that he will sign up for the WBC’s Clean Boxing Programme for VADA testing.
After failing to sign up to the programme the governing body removed Benn from their rankings, where he had held the number five position. Chris Billam-Smith, Mauricio Lara, Lee McGregor and Mario Barrios were also taken off the list for the same reason.
Usually fighters are removed briefly before they sign up for the programme and are reinstated, and Benn issued a statement saying this was his intention.
He said: “The World Boxing Council (WBC) have temporarily removed me from their January rankings and have requested in order for me to continue being ranked under the WBC governing body I must officially enrol in the WBC Clean Boxing Program supported by VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association).
“I can confirm I have instructed my team who are now in the process of enrolling me.
“I wanted to address this personally for the boxing community and my fans.
“It’s important to me as a professional athlete to enrol in a clean testing programme and play my part in keeping our sport safe along with having my name stated in top five positions across all governing bodies.
“I have had recent meetings with my team discussing opponents for my next fight to put me another step closer to challenge for world titles and I plan to take the earliest opportunity with any of the globally recognised governing bodies.
“Once our enrolment application has been processed, I expect to remain across the WBC’s top five for February’s rankings.
“I want to take this opportunity to officially put the welterweight division on notice for 2022.”
Benn is aiming to secure a world title fight later this year and is expected back in the ring for April.