Billy Joe Saunders just got penalized heavily by the British Boxing Board of Control after the 30-year-old boxer put up a controversial video on social media recently. Originally set to face Canelo Alvarez on Cinco De Mayo weekend, Saunders may have placed that on indefinite hold and paved the way for Gennady Golovkin to face the Mexican Brawler first.
Saunders came under fire after posting a video on social media showing men how to hit women in the chin when they speak back to them. Meant to be a joke, it was not taken well by others who lashed out at the champion boxer. Among those who took exception included Clareesa Shields and promoter Eddie Hearn.
Fight fans are angry over Billy Joe Saunders post video on how to hit women... pic.twitter.com/l0LCXW0qZ1 — The Glove Touch (@ThatlongSchlong) March 29, 2020
Saunders has since apologized for the post but will now have to answer for his actions. With the coronavirus pandemic restricting most at home, Saunders will have to wait for a scheduled hearing to explain his actions. And based on how it has created quite a backlash, things are not looking pretty for the English boxer. Worse, it could likewise jeopardize his boxing date with Alvarez.
"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 BBB of C said in a statement via TMZ Sports.
Even with Saunders set to face Alvarez on Cinco de Mayo weekend, there were already plans to stage an Alvarez vs. Golovkin trilogy. Both camps have already agreed to hold one and most expected it to happen after the Alvarez vs. Saunders clash. With his license now suspended, the trilogy is likely to come first although the date of that fight happening remains up in the air.
Saunders has apparently not learned his lesson well from posting controversial videos. Back in 2018, the English pug was fined £100,000 for putting up a video asking a woman to perform oral sex in exchange for drugs. Now, he faces a possible fine likely equal (if not more) to that incident.
Likely bored and wanting to interact with his followers, Saunders made a pretty insensitive and bad joke that now further tarnishes his image. It is a mess that he would need to accept and try to fix. But right now, his boxing career has been put on hold due to a believed foolish prank that has gone all wrong.
