Lewis Benson loses chance to win £500k as British Board of Boxing refuse him licence to fight

Lewis Benson has been ruled out on medical grounds

Edinburgh super-lightweight Lewis Benson has been left devastated after the British Board of Boxing Control pulled him out of tonight’s MTK Golden Contract competition in London, writes NEIL McGLADE.

The 27-year-old was scheduled to box Kieran Gething of Wales in the quarter-finals at York Hall, but has been refused permission to take his place in the ring on medical grounds due to a concern over the size of one of his pupils.

The winner of the competition, which is live on Sky Sports, is set to land a two-year, five-fight deal with a major promoter and a guaranteed purse of £500,000, however, Benson’s chances of this life-changing opportunity are over without even throwing a punch.

Describing yesterday as “the worst day of his life”, the 2014 Commonwealth Games representative said: “I’ve spent thousands on this camp, travel, medical and training costs. I won’t get an opportunity like this again so I’m going to call it a day in this boxing game. I’m devastated I can’t box as I am on weight and ready to fight. There are no words to describe how heartbroken I am. I have been involved in boxing for the last 15 years.

“To make it worse all my medical stuff was ten days ago. They asked me to see another specialist, which I did. We have called them every day to get this sorted and they wait until now to break my heart.”