Saunders’ Boxing License Suspended Following Controversial Video
It looks like Billy Joe Saunders will not be getting a bout with Canelo Alvarez, or with anyone in the near future. The WBO Super-Middleweight Champion had his boxing license suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control.
“The British Boxing Board of Control having considered comments made by Billy Joe Saunders on social media have suspended his boxer’s licence pending a hearing under the Board’s misconduct regulation, at a time and venue to be confirmed as soon as possible,” the board released in a statement.
This news comes after Saunders (29-0) posted and deleted a controversial video on social media, instructing men on how to hit women. The video came as something to do while stuck inside with your significant other.
Saunders then goes and hits a punching bag, pretending it is a woman.
“Obviously, this COVID-19 is getting very serious, and we are isolated away in tight spaces,” Saunders stated. “If your old woman is giving you a little bit of mouth and you try to be patient, you try to be calm, cool, but after the seventh day, or sixth day, you’re just about to explode.”
Saunders’ media accounts have appeared to be suspended as well. This was after attempting an apology and pledging to donate £25,000 to domestic violence charities. Speaking on TALKSport, Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn was appalled by Saunders’ actions.
“It was so idiotic, it was so frustrating because I know Billy well,” Hearn stated, via Sky Sports. “He’s a really good kid, with a really good heart… but every now and again he does the most stupid things. It’s unacceptable for Joe Bloggs down the street to do it. It’s much more unacceptable for a world champion boxer to be doing it. People who are in abusive relationships are watching that video. You cannot do it, it’s unacceptable.”
Undisputed Middleweight Champion Claressa Shields has since responded with a video of her own. In the clip, she looks to help those in abusive relationships and anyone who was offended by Saunders’ video.
Video for all the women in abusive relationships! This a tutorial on what to do when your boyfriend, husband or any man tries to put his hands on you! #DefenseMechanism ! Thank me later pic.twitter.com/FaAXWkYOm6
— ClaressaT-rexShields (@Claressashields) March 29, 2020
This is not the first time Saunders has been involved in a controversy surrounding women. In 2018, Saunders was fined following an interaction with what appeared to be a female drug addict. He offered her money for a sex act or for her to hit a random person. He drove off after she did the latter. Back in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics Saunders was sent home following obscene behavior at a woman in a French hotel.