Last Wednesday, the Daily Mail reported for the first time that Benn had tested positive for the banned substance clomiphene. The test in question was conducted by the anti-doping agency VADA a few weeks earlier. After the story went public and spread quickly, the British Boxing Council (BBBoC) issued an official statement announcing a ban on the Benn-Eubank fight.
Promoters Eddie Hearn and Kalle Sauerland originally planned to challenge the BBBoC's position in court, they decided to postpone these actions.
The Daily Mail did not provide a date for the claimed second positive test, but said the suspected substance was also clomiphene.
Promoter Frank Warren claims British boxing circles were aware of the problems with Benn's tests.
"Some of us have known about this earlier test for some time," Warren told the Daily Mail. “That makes this incident an even bigger scandal, even more damaging to our sport than anyone thought.”
Clomiphene was created as a fertility treatment for women, but male athletes used the drug to increase testosterone levels, which in turn led to the drug being banned from all major sports.
Several media outlets in the UK have reported that the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) is already conducting its own investigation. UKAD has reportedly asked VADA for Benn's test results for a planned investigation that could see the undefeated boxer face up to 4 years of ban if found guilty.