Conor Benn seeks to clarify extent of relationship with testosterone specialist Dr Usman Sajjad

Conor Benn’s team have moved to clarify they only began with working with Dr Usman Sajjad in August, despite the testosterone specialist appearing to suggest their relationship pre-dated the first of his two failed drugs tests in July.

In playing down the extent of his work with the doctor, Benn said in interviews last week that they only met for the first time in August, which would have fallen between his positive tests for clomifene on July 25 and September 1.

However, that would seem to be at odds with a post on Dr Sajjad’s Instagram account on July 8, listing Benn as one of his clients.

Conor Benn and his team have sought to clarify the extent of his relationship with testosterone expert Dr Usman Sajjad

After being contacted by Sportsmail on Monday, Benn’s manager Charlie Sims said Dr Sajjad’s social media post merely alluded to an agreement to work with the fighter, and that their partnership began formally in August ahead of the aborted October fight against Chris Eubank Jr.

Sims said: ‘We are aware of the post and so as to provide clarity the doctor contacted the trainer, who said they would like to have him involved with the team in relation to dealing with check weigh-ins for the next fight (at that point contemplated for September and later revised to October). Conor met him for the first time as stated in August.’

While there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Dr Sajjad, who maintains he has never supplied performance-enhancing drugs, he has come under scrutiny after it emerged he did a podcast last year in which he vividly described how it would theoretically be possible for a boxer to dope and evade detection. 

Sportsmail revealed earlier this month that his comments were being investigated by the British Boxing Board of Control.

Dr Sajjad and his lawyer have been approached for comment. Benn, meanwhile, is attempting to clear his name via the legal route and has repeatedly asserted he is a clean athlete.

Benn has urged patience as he tries to prove his innocence over his two positive tests in the run up to his showdown with Chris Eubank Jr