Billy Joe Saunders boxing license suspended following 'domestic abuse' video outcry

Two-weight and current WBO super-middle champ Billy Joe Saunders has had his license suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control, following a video he posted that critics claim makes light of domestic violence. Hatfield traveller Saunders insists the video in question, in which he gave mock tips on how to physically subdue one’s spouse during the Covid-19 lockdown, was meant in jest and soon issued an apology. The Board were apparently not sufficiently reassured and announced the ban, although given boxing may not even return until the autumn, how serious this sanction is remains to be seen.

"The British Boxing Board of Control, having considered comments made by Billy Joe Saunders on social media, have suspended his boxer’s license pending a hearing under the Board’s misconduct regulation, at a time and venue to be confirmed as soon as possible," the governing body’s statement read.

Saunders was widely believed to have secured a lucrative showdown with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez for May before Coronavirus turned the world upside down. It is now expected Canelo will instead go straight into a third fight with old rival GGG Gennady Golovkin in September instead. Now Billy Joe has another issue to worry about.

"I would never condone domestic violence and if I saw a man touch a woman I would smash him to pieces myself," Saunders pointed out in his apology on Twitter before his account vanished from the platform. "I have a daughter and if a man laid a finger on her it would [not] end well .Apologies if I offended any women. Stay blessed."