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Billy Joe Saunders to relinquish WBO middleweight world title and sue over Demetrius Andrade fight

Luke Brown
Thursday 11 October 2018 20:33 BST
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Billy Joe Saunders skips fast during training session

Billy Joe Saunders has made the decision to relinquish his WBO middleweight world title and will challenge the decision to deny him a boxing license, his promoter Frank Warren has said.

Saunders, 29, was this week refused a license by the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission (MSAC) to fight Demetrius Andrade, after he returned an adverse finding in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test in August.

Warren has insisted that the substance — the stimulant stimulant oxilofrine — was a “common decongestant nasal spray”.

His promoter has now added that Saunders will challenge the decision not to grant him a license in court.

“Because of the mental anguish brought about by this case and out of respect for the WBO, Billy-Joe will with a heavy heart relinquish his world title, whilst this issue is in the process of being resolved,” Warren said.

“Legal proceedings will then be issued against the MSAC following the Supreme Court hearing. The MSAC in their refusal to grant a licence to Billy-Joe have benefitted his scheduled opponent, Andrade, who will now fight for a vacant title against the next ranked Namibian Walter Kautondokwa.”

Billy Joe Saunders has been hit with a £100k fine

Immediately after the announcement, the WBO put out a statement in which the organisation’s president, Francisco Valcárcel, confirmed Andrade’s fight with Kautondonkwa will be for the world title. Valcárcel also recommended that Saunders is banned for six months.

“B.J. Saunders has voluntarily vacated the WBO Middleweight Title, and publicly apologised for his violation of the Massachusetts Athletic Commission’s anti-doping regulations,” the statement read.

“Therefore, the clash between Demetrius Andrade and Walter Kautondonkwa scheduled for October 20th will now be for the vacant World Crown”.

“Also, I will recommend to the WBO Executive Committee that Saunders receives a six month suspension for his transgression”.

Saunders has insisted that he is a “clean fighter to the bone”.

Under World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) and UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) rules, oxilofrine is only banned in competition, meaning a fighter is only in breach of rules if the substance is detected in his stem on the day of the a bout.

However it is prohibited at all times by Vada, with the Massachusetts Commission therefore denying him a licence to box.

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