Billy Joe Saunders has been suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control pending a hearing.
Saunders, who currently holds the WBO super middleweight title, caused outrage after posting a tutorial video ‘showing men how to hit women’ who are ‘giving you mouth’ during the ongoing coronavirus lockdown.
The 30-year-old has since issued an apology and pledged to donate £25,000 to a domestic violence charity but the the BBBoC have taken the decision to suspend his licence until further notice.
“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.”
Saunders' promoter Eddie Hearn said he was 'appalled' by the video which he described as 'unacceptable'.
"It was so idiotic, it was so frustrating because I know Billy well. It's one step forward, four steps back with Billy Joe Saunders and it is frustrating.
"You just can't do it, especially when you're in your position. 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.
"Thinking you're having a laugh, or not having a laugh, young people are watching that video. People who are in abusive relationships are watching that video. You cannot do it, it's unacceptable."
In 2018, Saunders was fined £100,000 and given a severe reprimand after being found guilty of bringing the sport into dispute by the same governing body after video footage emerged of him appearing to offer a woman drugs.
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