NIGEL BENN has flown home to Australia believing son Conor is about to win his doping fight — but not before settling a few scores.
The British boxing legend returned to the UK in August to help his 26-year-old boy finish the family feud against Chris Eubank Jr and his father on October 8.
Richard Pelham / The SunConor Benn has insisted he will be found innocent over doping charges[/caption]
But the catchweight bout was cancelled by the British Boxing Board of Control two days out after it was revealed Conor had failed a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test for female fertility drug clomifene.
Undefeated welterweight Conor passionately insists he is innocent — and SunSport understands the World Boxing Council are close to clearing him following their investigation.
But the Benn name could be forever tarnished by the saga and the Dark Destroyer has been hurt by a string of industry insiders turning on his heir without having all of the facts.
The 58-year-old told SunSport: “I can finally fly home now, put my head on the pillow and sleep soundly, knowing that my son is going to have his name cleared.
“The strain this whole thing has put on the health of my family was devastating, we have all suffered. It has been like a witch-hunt out of the 1800s.
“So many people we considered friends have turned on my son, labelled him guilty and tried to throw away the key.
“We have had to sit in silence while people bad-mouth us. But that’s about to change and I want all the apologies to be just as loud as the criticisms.”
SunSport is privy to the facts of the case that seem set to clear Benn of any wrongdoing.
But, after three months of rumours and speculation, the damage among the boxing public might already be done.
Conor is also at war with the BBBofC for their handling of the situation, only intervening long after they were made aware and despite the fighter passing all of his UK Anti-Doping tests.
Two-weight world champ Nigel can cope with sceptic fans who do not have the scientific data but not those in the boxing community who condemned his son without speaking to them first.
He said: “The science is going to prove that Conor is innocent.
“People could have waited to hear it all and reserved judgment. But instead they attacked him and put us through hell.
“Everyone that got on that bandwagon won’t be able to get off and switch sides.”