Conor Benn continues to shoot for the moon.

The controversial British welterweight has been eagerly anticipating a return to the ring this summer, despite the fact that he continues to be under investigation into his two positive tests last year for the banned performance enhancing drug clomifene.

Benn has not fought since last April, when he knocked out Chris van Heerden in two rounds.

The British Boxing Board of Control and United Kingdom Anti-Doping have been looking into Benn’s drug results ever since the revelation was made last October ahead of his scheduled fight with Chris Eubank Jr. which was eventually cancelled. UKAD formally charged Benn of an anti-doping violation last month, as well as putting him under provisional suspension.

In an ideal world, Benn said he would first like to fight former titlist Keith Thurman, followed by a showdown with WBA, WBC, IBF champion Errol Spence Jr.

“Thurman, then Spence,” Benn said in response to a question from a fan on his Instagram Story.

Of Thurman, Benn said he would fight the Clearwater, Florida native “Any day of the week.” Benn has previously stated that Thurman is the fighter that he wants to fight the most. Benn also noted that he expects to fight twice in 2023.

It remains unclear how Benn would be able to fight either Thurman or Spence. The American welterweights are backed by Al Haymon of Premier Boxing Champions, a rival outfit of Hearn’s Matchroom.

Despite his ongoing feud with the governing bodies in England, Benn, along with his promoter Eddie Hearn, has continued to flaunt his desire to fight in the coming months. While Benn cannot box legally in his homeland, he has made it clear he intends to fight in a foreign jurisdiction, such as the United States or the Middle East. State commissions in California, Nevada, and Texas have all stated that they will not license Benn to fight in their states so long as his investigation with the British board is ongoing.

Recently, it was reported that Benn could be in contention to appear on a June 17 card in New Orleans headed by WBC 140-pound titlist Regis Prograis. Hearn, however, suggested recently that something else could be in the works for his embattled charge. Benn's name has been connected to eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao, who came out of retirement last year.

Sean Nam is the author of the forthcoming book Murder on Federal Street: Tyrone Everett, the Black Mafia, and the Last Golden Age of Philadelphia Boxing.