Robert Smith didn’t bat an eye at Conor Benn’s recent show of contrition.

The head of the British Boxing Board of Control made it clear in a recent interview that the embattled welterweight’s apology to the public would have no bearing on their ongoing investigation into Benn’s two positive tests for the banned performance-enhancing drug clomifene.

Benn, who relinquished his license voluntarily last year, has butted heads frequently with the board over the past several months but recently seemed to soften his stance. United Kingdom Anti-Doping, which works in tandem with the board, formally charged Benn last month with a doping violation.  

“[The apology] doesn’t really make a lot of difference to us,” Smith told SecondsOut.com. “We’re going through the proper process at the moment. He’s obviously been advised what he’s done before and I hope he’s now been advised differently. And we’ll be going through the proper procedure.

“We want Conor Benn back. Conor Benn’s a great talent. There’s no reason why he can’t come back, but he has to go through the proper procedure through UKAD. Once that’s done, we’ll see where we are.”

Benn reportedly refused to share a 270-page document with the board, the same one that he used to convince the World Boxing Council to reinstate him into their welterweight rankings. Recently, however, Benn reportedly shared that document with UKAD.

“UKAD and Conor Benn’s lawyers are dealing with it,” Smith said. “UKAD act on our behalf. I don’t know what [kind of paperwork] has been sent to UKAD. UKAD will deal with it and they will advise us afterward.”

After attempting to stage a card involving Benn in Abu Dhabi on June 3, Benn’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, has floated the possibility that Benn could fight on the undercard of the Regis Prograis-Liam Paro welterweight title fight set for June 17 at Smooth King Center in Prograis’ hometown of New Orleans. Under UKAD protocol, anyone working with Benn with a British license would be subject to sanctions.  

Smith batted away the suggestion that British boxing was in a crisis. Recently, retired British welterweight Amir Khan was revealed to have tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug after his loss to Kell Brook last year.

“Boxing is doing well,” Smith said. “We have a few issues. Not major issues. But issues. They’ll be dealt with in due course. No speculation. They’ll be dealt with in due course.”