British boxer Billy Joe Saunders has been denied a licence for his next fight by the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission after he gave a positive drugs test for Oxilofrine.
He was set to defend the WBO middleweight world title against Demetrius Andrade on October 20 in Boston, but that looks set to no longer go ahead and he is now likely to be stripped of that title.
Per the Independent, Saunders was not present but was dialled in on speaker phone and responded to the news by saying “You can suck my prick.”
The 29-year-old was unbeaten in 26 fights but tested positive on September 27 to the stimulant Oxilofrine. His promoter, Frank Warren, had claimed it was due to a nasal spray that was permitted out of competition.
Prior to today's hearing, Andrade's promoter Eddie Hearns said they were not concerned if Saunders was unable to fight:
The most important thing is that Demetrius Andrade fights for the world title on October 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.
