British Boxing Board of Control Provides Update On Billy Joe Saunders

If he was to return to the ring, Billy Joe Saunders now has a clear path to do so.

The British Boxing Board of Control has fined the WBO Super-Middleweight Champion £15,000 ($19,000) for his part in a controversial video a few months ago. He also had his license reinstated. An announcement was made on Twitter by the BBBofC earlier this morning.

Saunders (29-0) had his boxing license suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control following a controversial post he made on social media. During the early stages of quarantine, Saunders was seen punching a bag while giving men instructions on how to handle their wives or girlfriends who are bothering them.

The 30-year-old Saunders, who is used to producing controversial moments, later apologized following the sentence by the BBBofC. Saunders also pledged to donate up to £25,000 to domestic violence charities. He would end up stating:

“There is no excuse for my actions. It was a very, very, very bad out of taste joke, I am a God-fearing man and I do not condone domestic violence under any circumstances.”

Winning the WBO Super-Middleweight Championship against Shefat Isufi in May 2019, Saunders last fought in November, beating Marcelo Esteban Coceres via TKO. There were rumors of him fighting Canelo Alvarez in May, but nothing was able to become official thanks to COVID-19. He has since withdrawn his name from consideration for a Canelo bout.

Saunders has also considered retirement following the news that Daniel Kinahan will no longer be involved with MTK Global or boxing in general.