After defeating Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 in May, Cejudo made the shock announcement that he was bringing an end to his time in the Octagon and vacating the bantamweight title.
The 33-year-old former flyweight champion, who also won wrestling gold at the 2008 Olympic Games, says he could only be enticed back by the prospect of becoming the first UFC fighter to win belts in three different divisions.
However, he has also been in talks over a switch to boxing and a fight with Ryan Garcia, who at 21 years old possesses a 20-0 record with 17 knockouts.
"I've done everything in MMA. I'm satisfied with my career," Cejudo told TMZ Sports.
"There would only be one fight that would really bring me back, that would really wake me up in the morning – other than Ryan Garcia – it would be Alexander Volkanovski.
"I want a third title because I want to be different. There's been a lot of champ-champs, but it's just to cement it and go into the history books as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time."
Cejudo is close friends with former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, who is training for a potential return to the ring in exhibition fights.
A third meeting with fellow retiree Evander Holyfield has been touted and Cejudo predicts Tyson's comeback – regardless of who it is against – will be a landmark event.
"Mike Tyson is in a beautiful, beautiful place. Uncle Mike is about as ready as you could ever imagined," he said.
"He's ripped, he's serious. The only thing I could say is that when Mike Tyson does make his comeback, it's going to be the biggest thing in sports."
On whether he would be up for fighting Tyson, Cejudo replied: "I love Uncle Mike, I could never lay a finger on Uncle Mike.
"He's been a huge mentor. He's a guy that guides a lot of people and I feel like I'm under his wing."
Joined by the Southern Basketball Conference (SBC) and the Majesty Gardens Life Skills and Sports Project, the former Contender champion, aims to inspire the children of Majesty Gardens to reach for the stars, both inside and outside the ring.
Amidst the challenges faced by the youth in Majesty Gardens, including violence and limited opportunities, the collaboration between SBC and the Life Skills and Sports Project seeks to create a transformative experience for the community's children. Recognizing the profound impact positive role models can have, the organizers are thrilled to have Mullings on board for an event that goes beyond sports.
The evening promises a blend of basketball excitement and fundamental boxing techniques, providing an interactive platform for children to connect with Sakima in a meaningful way. However, the event is not just about showcasing athletic prowess; it's about sharing life lessons and fostering a sense of hope and determination.
Mullings, known for his resilience and success in the boxing arena, will not only demonstrate his skills in basketball and boxing but will also share personal stories and insights from his journey towards success. His goal is to instill in these young minds the belief that they, too, can overcome challenges and achieve greatness with unwavering dedication.
The Majesty Gardens Life Skills and Sports Project understands the impact that sports can have on character development. Calvin Martin, an organizational representative, expressed his excitement about Sakima's involvement, stating, "Sakima Mullings' presence at this event is a tremendous honor for us. His legacy and dedication to empowering others made him the perfect influencer to inspire our youth. We firmly believe that this event will encourage children from Majesty Garden to believe in themselves, break shackles of adversity, and pursue their dreams with intention."
As Sakima Mullings steps into the community arena, he brings with him not only his athletic prowess but a commitment to being a positive force for change. The event promises to be a beacon of inspiration, reminding Majesty Gardens' youth that they are champions in the making, both inside and outside the ring.
Joshua was pictured on crutches while attending a Black Lives Matter protest in Watford last week, with his left knee in a brace.
According to Boxing Scene, promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight champion will be out of action for four weeks after injuring himself when running.
Joshua is due to fight Pulev in October or November this year, but Martin, beaten by Joshua at the O2 Arena in 2016, is keeping a close eye on his recovery.
Leon Margules, the president of Martin's promoters Warriors Boxing, told Sky Sports: "If Joshua is injured and can't defend on a mandatory basis, and the title becomes vacant, we'll fight Pulev for the vacant title.
"Charles Martin is fit, ready and waiting for that opportunity. We've been waiting for the opportunity for a long time.
"We were actually reading all about Joshua-Fury, and then thinking to ourselves that the IBF would then vacate the IBF title, because he didn't do his mandatory. He's already had exceptions.
"We would then demand the IBF vacate the title and allow Pulev to fight for Joshua's vacant title."
Charlo won by unanimous decision, with the judges scoring the bout in his favour 120-108, 119-109 and 118-109.
Though Charlo dominated the fight, he never seemed a threat to knock out the challenger.
“He was a real warrior to get into the ring with me,” Charlo said.
“He fought hard each and every round.”
In Las Vegas, Naoya Inoue remained unbeaten with a third-round TKO of Michael Dasmarinas to retain his WBA, IBF and The Ring bantamweight titles.
Inoue (21-0) had little trouble with the IBF mandatory challenger, delivering a flurry of body blows to send the Filipino to the canvas at 2:45 in the third.
The Japanese fighter's win in the third followed a knockdown on a body shot in the second that only ended up prolonging the agony for Dasmarinas.
Identical twins Jermall and Jermell headlined Saturday's main events at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
In the first bout, Jermall Charlo overcame Derevyanchenko over 12 rounds, with all three judges scoring the fight 116-112, 117-111 and 118-110 in favour of the American.
"I made my team proud and I did what I was supposed to do," said Jermall, who improved to 31-0. "I executed the game plan. [Trainer] Ronnie Shields told me that I passed the test tonight. I'm happy to go back to the drawing board now and figure out what's next.
"He was tough, but I knew he was going to be tough. I knew he'd come to fight, I just didn't know how and when he'd try to turn it up. I felt like I never really let him turn it up and that was the game plan.
"I studied well and I didn't let the pandemic affect my training. I just want to keep fighting and not let any negative interrupt the positive."
And Jermell Charlo capped a clean sweet after his brutal eighth-round knockout of Jeison Rosario in the second fight.
Jermell (34-1) struck Rosario in the stomach with a powerful jab, flooring the Dominican boxer in the eighth round and he failed to make the count.
With the win, Jermell snatched the WBA and IBF junior middleweight titles and added them to his WBC strap.
"Dreams do come true and I believe this is part of my dream and part of my destiny," Jermell said. "My twin brother is excited. We're going to go do our bubble turn-up. He's my biggest fan. I love him to death.
"We're getting ready to take over," he added. "We're the new era of boxing."
The American Charlo (34-1-1), holder of the WBC, WBA and IBF belts, got a tougher fight than many expected from the Argentine, who holds the WBO strap at 154 pounds and was the aggressor from the start in San Antonio.
Castano's overall effort was enough to earn him a 114-113 win on judge Steven Weisfeld's scorecard and a 114-114 draw on Tim Cheatham's, but Nelson Vazquez scored the fight 117-111 for Charlo, who rallied in the later rounds.
"The draw wasn't what I wanted to hear," Charlo told Showtime in the ring afterward. "If anything, I won this fight. I hurt him way more than he did [me]. Brian Castano's a tough warrior, he going to give a lot of people problems, but my power is something serious at this weight division."
While Charlo's power left Castano (17-0-2) unsteady a couple of times in the fight, it was hardly overwhelming.
The American's coach, Derrick James, made it clear to Charlo in the later rounds that he had to get a knockout to be assured of victory, but Castano stood strong for the duration to earn the draw.
"I won the fight," Castano said through an interpeter. "There were some rounds he hit me hard, but I won the fight.
"I hope there's a rematch. He's a great fighter -- me, too. I need the rematch."
Key moment
Despite the lopsided scorecard in his favour, Charlo may have salvaged the draw with a strong 10th round that left Castano on the defensive, attacking the Argentine relentlessly in search of the finishing blow.
What happens next?
A rematch figures to be in the offing, though Australian challenger Tim Tszyu tweeted after the draw that he was ready for a fight with Castano.
Seeking a solution to provide a spectacle while fans are still unable to attend sporting events in the UK due to the coronavirus pandemic, Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn staged the first of four "Fight Camp" events in his childhood back garden.
The sprawling grounds of Matchroom's headquarters – still home to Hearn's father and company founder Barry Hearn – were the backdrop for this taste of boxing in the COVID-19 age.
Neil Diamond's hit Sweet Caroline, long established as the singalong anthem for British boxing's signature nights, boomed into the Essex air along with an array of fireworks and pyrotechnics as Cheeseman and Eggington made their way to the ring.
Master of Ceremonies David Diamante held nothing back during the introductory razzamatazz and the fighters followed suit, with backward steps a rarity during an all-action affair.
Cheeseman's crisper boxing held sway early on – decisively so as he was given the nod 116-113 (twice) and 115-114 on the scorecards - and a booming counter-right in the second had Eggington (28-7) in trouble.
But the Birmingham brawler, defending the IBF international light-middleweight belt he won by stunning home favourite Orlando Fiordigiglio in Florence last year, came on strong during the middle rounds, his probing jab and left hook leaving Cheeseman with a bloodied nose.
Cheeseman (16-2-1) staggered his foe once more in eight but Eggington showed incredible reserves in a toe-to-toe contest and looked close to the stoppage he needed during a thrilling round 12.
But the Londoner fired back and held on to snap a three-fight winless streak.
On the undercard, former world-title challenger James Tennyson stopped Gavin Gwynne in six to win the vacant British lightweight title.
Next week's Fight Camp is headlined by the WBC super-featherweight clash between champion Terri Harper and 2012 Olympian Natasha Jonas, while the series concludes with the heavyweight showdown between Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin on August 22.
The Briton was set to take on Usyk in London earlier this month, but the coronavirus pandemic led to an indefinite postponement.
And Chisora is working with manager David Haye to secure an appearance at Bellator MMA.
"We are trying to sort dates for June or July," he told BBC Sport, with compatriot Dillian Whyte having also been tipped to tackle a crossover bout.
"I see others do it and say, 'I want to try it one day'. Since Usyk has been postponed for a while, then if there's a way I can do that for the time being...
"We're waiting to see the date they give us for Usyk but if there's a bigger gap we're going to jump in to Bellator straight away."
No new date has been set for Chisora's fight with Usyk, but the 36-year-old is not keen on the idea of it taking place behind closed doors.
"This fight needs fans," he said. "Some fights don't but certain fights need fans and this is one where you need people to enjoy it."
Usyk is expected to share the ring with Joshua if he defeats Chisora, provided the IBF, WBA and WBO champion gets the better of challenger Kubrat Pulev, who he will face in June.
But Chisora wants to disrupt those plans and earn himself an all-British blockbuster clash against Joshua.
"He's got the golden ticket, so I want to take his golden ticket," Chisora said of Usyk as he promoted their May 23 bout at the O2 Arena.
"Basically, everything I'm going to do is for me to take what he has and make it mine.
"I believe the way he can win this fight is by him knocking me out, but that's not going to happen. I'm going to keep coming and keep coming.
"I'll be so excited for it, training hard, pushing my numbers, so we'll see how he goes, but I'm so chuffed about this fight."
Promoter Eddie Hearn insisted Joshua would have no issues taking on Chisora if his compatriot upsets the odds against the undefeated Usyk, who will be fighting at heavyweight for just the second time.
"Chisora and [manager] David Haye fancy this," Hearn said to Sky Sports. "They can blow up the division if they win.
"AJ and Chisora would fight. AJ is a massive admirer of Chisora. Growing up at Finchley, Chisora was a hero to AJ. But they will fight, no problem.
"It doesn't mean, if Chisora beats Usyk, he inherits the mandatory position. But he will become number one with the WBO and everybody will say, 'You deserve a shot at the world title'."
Chisora, 36, has enjoyed a late-career renaissance and won three straight fights after his entertaining defeat to Dillian Whyte in their rematch in December 2018.
Usyk, a winner over Chazz Witherspoon on his heavyweight debut in October, vowed not to take the veteran for granted with a big prize against Joshua up for grabs.
"He's a really big guy and he hits hard," said Usyk.
"I will train hard and I will be in my best shape for this fight. I tell you once again, I love boxing very much, I love to box."
Usyk will take on Chisora on May 23 at the O2 Arena, with the winner expected to face Anthony Joshua, who has his own upcoming bout against Kubrat Pulev.
Chisora's manager Haye believes it will be his client taking on incumbent IBF, WBA and WBO champion Joshua later this year after upsetting the odds against undefeated Usyk.
Haye, himself a former world heavyweight champion, accepts most experts will be backing the Ukrainian but pointed to Tyson Fury's recent knockout of Deontay Wilder as proof fights do not always pan out as expected.
"It's going to be beautiful to watch, the same way it was beautiful to watch what Fury did to Wilder," Haye said to Sky Sports.
"It was amazing to see someone completely dominate when you thought it was going to go the other way and we're going to get that same thing.
"He [Usyk] has just made a mistake this time, he doesn't realise what Dereck is about. He doesn't get what it's going to feel like when he's in there against a 120-kilo wrecking ball.
"He doesn't know what that's like. He can try and replicate it in sparring, but his coach won't allow the sparring partners to do what Dereck is going to do to him, with 10-ounce gloves on the night. It's going to shock his system."
Chisora won all three of his fights in 2019 and Usyk is taking on just his second bout in the heavyweight division, having stopped Chazz Witherspoon in October.
Haye added: "I don't believe Usyk has been in a rough, tough fight like he's going to be in.
"One of the best-ever cruiserweights moving into a division which he hasn't done anything in yet. He's miscalculated what he believes Dereck Chisora is coming to the table with - and we are going to cause a massive, massive upset.
"Chisora isn't going to try and outbox Usyk, he's going to drag him into a dogfight from the first second of the first round. Dereck is a completely different animal to what he's ever been in the ring with."
Smith, who beat Eubank in a fourth-round stoppage at the same venue in January, was twice knocked down before the referee stepped in to spare the Liverpudlian from further punishment.
Eubank produced a brilliant performance from the opening round, first sending Smith to the canvas in the fourth round and again in the 10th, as he secured the 34th win of his professional career.
“I had no other choice (but to beat Smith). There’s too many other big fights out there for me that the fans want to see, that I want to be involved in,” Eubank said in the ring after the bout.
“I had to beat Liam tonight. Liam is a warrior. I respect him, his team, his family and his brothers.
“They always come out and put it all on the line. He fought until the last second, so big up to Liam and his team.”
“I trained hard for that fight, I trained hard for this fight. The focus is always there. I dedicate my life to this sport.
“Now we’re onto bigger and better fights. There’s some big names out there. I see a few of these guys in the crowd. I’m coming for you.”
The rematch, twice rescheduled earlier this summer from June and then July, lived up to expectation, with Eubank overcoming a hostile reception having been booed when entering the arena.
Former two-time IBO super-middleweight champion Eubank began to take control in the second round, staying behind his jab.
He caught former WBO light-middleweight champion Smith in the third round and sent him to the floor for the first time with a fierce uppercut in the next.
Smith was controversially given an extended 30 seconds to recover after spitting out his mouthguard, but he came in for more punishment in the fifth as Eubank swarmed his man as he looked to settle the bout.
More head and body shots from Eubank in the seventh round hurt Smith, who was nursing an ankle issue, with replays suggesting he twisted it in the second round.
Eubank continued to fight with controlled aggression as the two fighters continually exchanged words at the end of rounds.
Smith was pushed backwards in the 10th and was sent sprawling to the canvas for the second time. He gamely continued, but was pinned against the ropes again and the referee stepped in to stop the fight.
Smith, sporting a deep cut above his right eye, said after the defeat: “Everything from start to finish (went wrong). I was just flat from the start.
“Chris was sharp. That’s all I can say about it really. I shout when I win, I take my defeats when I lose.”
Saturday's bout at London's O2 Arena was placed in jeopardy on Wednesday after it was revealed Benn had tested positive for female fertility drug clomifene.
The positive sample showed up in one of welterweight fighter Benn's recent tests, leading to the BBBofC to state that the fight was "not in the interests of boxing".
But Benn continued with his preparations as planned on Wednesday by taking part in an open workout session and feels the showdown will go ahead as planned.
"I've not committed any violations and I've not been suspended, so as far as I'm concerned the fight is still going ahead," he told Matchroom's YouTube channel.
"I've signed up to every voluntary anti-doping test under the sun. Throughout my whole career I'm tested and I've always come back negative. I've never had any issues before.
"My team will find out why there has been an initial adverse finding, but as far as I'm concerned the fight is going ahead. I'm a clean athlete and we'll get to the bottom of this."
Matchroom, Benn's representatives, had earlier said his "B sample had yet to be tested, meaning there is no rule violation and he is not suspended".
Benn added that he has spoken to Eubank Jr personally and that both "want the fight to happen for the fans".
However, speaking at his own workout, Eubank Jr said: "There was no phone call [with Benn]. We haven't spoken.
"No phone call. We haven't spoken since this has been announced, and it's a shame you know. But my promoters, his promoters, the BBBofC they are going to sort this out."
The Eubank-Benn rivalry goes back over 30 years, with the fighters' respective fathers – Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn – having fought in 1990 and 1993.
Eubank Sr won the first fight, with the second finishing as a split draw.
Benn’s career was thrown into turmoil last October after he twice tested positive for the banned drug clomifene in the lead-up to a bout against Chris Eubank Jr that was subsequently shelved in fight week.
He was formally charged by UKAD in April but announced last month he had been cleared after the independent National Anti-Doping Panel ruled in his favour following a hearing into the matter.
However, while Benn remains free to resume his boxing career, the saga is not over as UKAD and the BBBofC have both activated their right to appeal against the NADP’s decision within a 21-day window.
A UKAD statement said: “UK Anti-Doping can confirm that it has filed an appeal in respect of a decision handed down by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel regarding anti-doping proceedings brought by UKAD against Mr Conor Benn.
“As confirmed previously in UKAD’s statement on 28 July 2023, Mr Benn is no longer subject to a provisional suspension. The appeal process will now be followed in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping rules.”
Benn’s positive tests were conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association for the WBC, which cleared the boxer of any wrongdoing in February, pointing to an “elevated consumption of eggs” for the findings.
Benn himself insisted eggs were never blamed in a 270-page report he sent the WBC, but he has repeatedly stressed his innocence, having faced a two-year ban.
He reacted with dismay to Thursday’s announcement, writing on Twitter: “I’m disappointed at the news of an appeal being made, having already been cleared by both the WBC and National Anti-Doping Panel to continue my career without any restriction.
“As I have said before, I am innocent. Nothing has changed and I remain confident in my position.”
Benn relinquished his BBBofC licence after his bout against Eubank was scrapped and criticised the governing body’s handling of his case.
The BBBofC said in a statement: “The British Boxing Board of Control Limited can confirm that it has filed an appeal in respect of the decision of the independent National Anti-Doping Panel in anti-doping proceedings brought by UKAD against Mr Benn.
“The BBBofC has an independent right to appeal the decision and, as the governing body for professional boxing in the United Kingdom and having due regard to its role and responsibilities, has elected to do so. The BBBoC can also confirm that UKAD has also appealed.”
Benn was formally charged by UKAD in April after twice testing positive for the female fertility drug clomifene in the build-up to October’s domestic catchweight showdown.
But the 26-year-old, son of British great Nigel Benn, revealed on social media that the charge has been dismissed by the doping agency.
“Today marks the end of a gruelling 10-month process, during which the WBC had already decided I was innocent of any wrongdoing,” Benn said in a statement released on Twitter.
“After a hearing with the National-Doping Agency Panel and UKAD, I have now been vindicated for the second time.
“Hopefully, the public and various members of the media can now understand why I have maintained my innocence so strongly all the way through.
“The UKAD process has now formally ended and I remain free to fight.”
The PA news agency has contacted UKAD for comment.
Benn's scheduled bout with Chris Eubank Jr was postponed last week after it emerged the 26-year-old had tested positive for the banned substance clomifene last month.
The British Boxing Board of Control subsequently prohibited the fight from taking place, despite promoters from both sides attempting to force a U-turn.
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) is investigating Benn's test, though his father and former WBO middleweight and WBC super-middleweight champion Nigel Benn has insisted he is a "clean athlete".
In a story posted to his Instagram account on Wednesday, Benn wrote: "I hope the apology is as loud as the disrespect."
Nigel Benn, who famously twice fought Chris Eubank Sr in the 1990s, declared his son's team will "get to the bottom of this" following the fight's postponement.
If found guilty of an anti-doping violation, Benn could receive a lengthy suspension from boxing – potentially lasting between two and four years.
Robert Smith, general secretary of the governing body, told talkSPORT on Wednesday that the BBBoC made the decision because it believes the investigation into Benn’s two failed drugs tests remains ongoing.
Benn and Eubank Jr had been due to fight in a catchweight contest last October, but the bout had to be cancelled days out from the event after Benn tested positive for banned substance Clomifene on two occasions.
It resulted in Benn being hit with a provisional suspension and while it was announced in July that he had been cleared by an independent National Anti-Doping Panel, the BBBoC and UK Anti-Doping appealed against the decision to lift Benn’s provisional ban.
Benn was able to fight for the first time in 525 days in September but his unanimous points victory over Rodolfo Orozco had to be staged in Florida.
It did still appear to open the door for a long-awaited clash with Eubank Jr, but talks over a potential February 3 date could now be scuppered.
Smith told talkSPORT: “The Board feel that any athlete, not just a boxer, but any athlete who has failed a drugs test needs to go through an investigation with the proper authorities and that hasn’t happened.
“We’re waiting for that to happen and the Boxing Board and UKAD have been pushing for that to happen right from the beginning of this and unfortunately it’s been delayed, not through the Boxing Board of Control or UKAD, but through other parties.
“With regard to Mr Benn boxing in this country, we have had an application for him to box in this country, that has been refused.”
The PA news agency has contacted promoters Matchroom and Wasserman Boxing, but both have declined to comment.
Benn and Eubank Jr traded blows over social media on Monday night with the former teasing the date of the proposed fight between the sons of old rivals Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank.
“I’ll remind you of this when you are being scraped up off the f****** canvas. Feb 3 I’m ending your career,” Benn said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
However, any potential fight to settle the feud may have to take place overseas or be licensed in England by an alternative boxing body.
Benn's scheduled bout with Chris Eubank Jr was postponed earlier this month after it emerged the 26-year-old had tested positive for banned substance clomifene.
The BBBofC subsequently prohibited the fight from taking place, despite promoters from both sides attempting to force a U-turn.
Benn's father, former WBO middleweight and WBC super-middleweight champion Nigel Benn, declared they would "get to the bottom of this" following the fight's postponement, with his son later writing on his Instagram account: "I hope the apology is as loud as the disrespect."
A statement from the BBBofC on Wednesday said: "By a notice dated 17th October 2022, Mr Conor Benn was called by the Board of the BBBofC to attend a hearing to deal with allegations of misconduct pursuant to Rule 25.1.1. The hearing took place on 21st October 2022.
"On the morning of the hearing, Mr Benn voluntarily relinquished his licence with the BBBofC.
"In accordance with its rules and regulations, the Board determined the allegations following the hearing at which Mr Benn was legally represented.
"The allegations against Mr Benn were upheld."
The 27-year-old from London, who is unable to fight in the UK due to failed drug tests, won his second straight fight in the US as he went 12 rounds for the first time in his career.
The judges scored the welterweight fight 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110 in Benn’s favour to extend his record to 23-0.
After the fight, Benn said he would fight anyone promoter Eddie Hearn puts in front of him.
Leading in to the fight, Benn said he had fallen out of love with boxing after the failed drugs tests but was willing to “spend every last penny” to prove his innocence in the appeal.
His career was thrown into turmoil in October 2022 after he twice tested positive for the banned drug clomifene in the lead-up to a bout against Chris Eubank Jr that was called off in fight week.
His provisional suspension was lifted by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel, although the British Boxing Board of Control and UK Anti-Doping have lodged an appeal against that decision.
Hearn said on Friday that Benn must be allowed to fight again in Britain to fill the void left by Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
Benn has not stepped into the ring since he knocked out Chris van Heerden in April last year. His proposed October bout with Chris Eubank Jr fell through following two positive tests for the banned drug clomifene, which resulted in him being hit with a provision suspension.
Benn promised to prove his innocence and, while he was formally charged by UK Anti-Doping in April, it was announced in July he had been cleared by an independent National Anti-Doping Panel.
UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control appealed against the decision to lift Benn’s provisional suspension last month, which prevented the son of former two-weight world champion Nigel Benn being able to resume his boxing career in his home country.
Benn and promotion company Matchroom have now decided to try and get his career back on track with a bout in the United States.
Mexican veteran Rodolfo Orozco has been drafted in as a last-minute opponent for Benn, whose fight will be the co-main event of the show also involving super-lightweights Richardson Hitchins and Jose Zepeda at Caribe Royale.
Benn said: “I am undefeated in the ring, and in spirit. A return on Saturday is a step closer to redemption.
“After that, I’m putting the 147-160 divisions on notice. You are looking at a determined man with a deep desire to beat them all.”
UK Anti-Doping confirmed the news first revealed by Benn and his promoters Matchroom Boxing on Friday afternoon, but added that it has 21 days to appeal the verdict of the National Anti-Doping Panel, an independent tribunal.
Benn was formally charged by UKAD in April after twice testing positive for the female fertility drug clomifene in the build-up to October’s catchweight showdown with British rival Eubank Jr.
“UKAD carefully reviews all decisions in its cases before deciding whether to exercise its right of appeal,” UKAD said in a statement, before declining to comment further on the case.
Benn, son of boxing great Nigel Benn, had claimed on social media that he had been exonerated only for UKAD’s statement to indicate his case is not yet closed as the drugs agency considers whether to appeal.
“Today marks the end of a gruelling 10-month process, during which the WBC had already decided I was innocent of any wrongdoing,” Benn said on Twitter.
“After a hearing with the National-Doping Agency Panel and UKAD, I have now been vindicated for the second time.
“Hopefully, the public and various members of the media can now understand why I have maintained my innocence so strongly all the way through.
“The UKAD process has now formally ended and I remain free to fight.”
If Benn is cleared, he will reapply for the British Boxing Board of Control licence that was relinquished during his dispute with the governing body.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said he is already planning a comeback fight for the 26-year-old Londoner in September ahead of a clash with a high-profile opponent in December.
Benn had been banned from competing in the UK until his case had been heard by UKAD, although he was free to fight overseas.
The lucrative showdown with Eubank Jr is likely to be revived and having protested his innocence from the outset, Benn revealed his joy at what he considers to be the end of the process.
“Naturally, I am pleased that I can now put this behind me once and for all,” he said.
“As you can imagine the last 10 months have weighed heavily on me and I am anxious that if this happened to me, it could potentially happen to any honest, dedicated and clean athlete like me.
“I would like to thank my fans that have kept the faith when many have turned against me, as well as my team, Matchroom, my friends and family, sponsors and also my legal team, all of whom have shared a belief in me and a commitment to ensure the correct result being obtained and justice being services.
“Only with the strength of all this support have I been able to continue during this challenging time.
“I now intend to put this matter behind me and look forward. Which begins with fighting as soon as possible so I can remind everyone who I am.”
