Conor Benn has marked his return to boxing with a points victory over Rodolfo Orozco in Florida.
The British fighter, who usually competes at welterweight, was competing for the first time since he failed two drugs tests for clomifene prior to his showdown with Chris Eubank Jr in October last year.
While Benn has not been cleared to fight by the BBBofC, who have appealed a decision to lift his suspension by the National Anti-Doping Panel, he is free to fight abroad and was handed a licence to compete in Orlando on Saturday night.
Benn was the clear favourite to overcome Mexico's Orozco ahead of trying to negotiate terms for a rescheduled date with Eubank at the turn of the year.
Brute force by @ConorNigel 😤#HitchinsZepeda pic.twitter.com/8UBQ7wxfLH
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) September 24, 2023
However, he had to settle for going 10 rounds - which may prove to be a blessing in disguise given his inactivity - despite dominating large portions of the bout.
Orozco had success of his own, as shown by two of the verdicts being 96-94, yet Benn was landing the more hurtful shots and was given a 99-91 tally on the other judges' scorecard.
There was controversy in the unified world welterweight unification clash between Jessica McCaskill and Sandy Ryan, though, as British representative Ryan was denied was appeared to be a clear win.
The WBO title holder outboxed WBA and WBC champion McCaskill for large periods, with the American having success - albeit minimal - at times, and the expectation was that the 30-year-old would be given a unanimous verdict.
Instead, the judges delivered verdicts of 97-93 to McCaskill, 96-94 to Ryan and a 95-95, producing a split-draw. A rematch is now expected early next year.
