ESPN.com reported Thursday that the WBO middleweight champion tested positive for the banned substance Oxilofrine, a stimulant. Britain’s Voluntary Anti-Doping Association administered the test.
The 29-year-old Saunders (26-0, 12 KOs) is scheduled to defend his title for the fourth time, against Demetrius Andrade, on Oct. 20 at TD Garden in Boston. The fight will be streamed live on DAZN.
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Saunders’ promoter, Frank Warren, told Sporting News in a prepared statement that Saunders will be allowed to face Andrade:
In fact, the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission will determine whether the fight will occur. It has to issue Saunders a license. The commission is set to meet Oct. 8.
Andrade’s promoter at Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn, told ESPN.com that Andrade will fight on the card regardless of the ruling.
“Billy Joe will apply for a license in Massachusetts and they will make the decision if he is allowed to box,” Hearn told ESPN. “The most important thing is that Demetrius Andrade fights for the world title on Oct. 20. If Billy Joe Saunders is ruled out and stripped of the title, we will be looking to make a fight for the vacant world title.
“If Saunders is stripped, we will do whatever we can to make sure Andrade is fighting for the vacant title on Oct. 20.”
In an unrelated development, Saunders was fined £100,000 ($131,000 USD) Tuesday by the BBBofC after he was recorded in a video offering a woman drugs in exchange for performing a sex act. Saunders apologized for the incident.
