Former two-weight world champion Billy Joe Saunders given 15-month prison sentence

Billy joe Saunders spared jail for now, with his sentence suspended for 18 months

Former two-weight world champion Billy Joe Saunders has been spared jail after he was involved in a violent brawl at a baby shower in November 2021 at Poppy's Club in Bulkington. He received a 15-months prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

The 37-year-old ex-boxer used a beer bottle as a weapon on three occasions after a huge punch-up occurred at an event in Warwick.

Saunders was part of nine people involved in the violence, the Warwick Crown Court heard, with one man stabbed through the hand with a flick-knife. Another man was allegedly seen with a gun.

Witnesses said that Saunders was drunk and drinking a lot, also that he was being derogatory to Irish people. The court heard that a fight had erupted between two people earlier in the evening, which then reignited again after midnight.

The judge Thomas Rochford reprimanded Saunders at court, "You were a boxer of some skill and repute at the Olympics and as a professional.You were involved in this [brawl] at a more serious level than three of those with you today [in the dock], as you used a bottle and were considerably involved in this offence, but I bear in mind you did not dive in at the outset, you got involved a little later."

However, he reasoned that, as a professional boxer, he "should be able to manage his feelings in a way others can't."

It was proposed by the defence that Billy Joe's crushing defeat to Canelo in May 2021 sent his life spiralling downhill. The Mexican broke Saunders' cheekbone during their unification clash in Texas, causing the fight to be stopped after eight rounds and signalling the end of the Briton's boxing career.

He was ordered to pay £1,000 in costs and another £1,000 in fines, as well as 200 hours of community service.

It's not the first time the southpaw from Hatfield has been in trouble with the law. He has filmed prank videos where he offered a prostitute money to punch a random stranger walking past his car. He was fined £100,00 by the British Boxing Board of Control for the sickening act.

He was filmed telling a police officer to "f**k your mother" during a foul-mouthed rant while being arrested for illegally using dogs to hunt hares.

During lockdown, in 2020, he was fined £150,000 for releasing a video clip on social media promoting domestic violence towards women.

The ex-boxer persistently blames his mistakes on a lack of education because he didn't go to school. However, many from the boxing industry have countered those excuses to argue that he is just not a nice person.