Sports

Billy Joe Saunders will have chance to convince WBO not to strip him of title

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Editorial use ONLY. No model release available. NO UNPAID USE. Mandatory Credit: Photo by TGSPhoto/REX/Shutterstock (9640971q) Billy Joe Saunders during a Press Conference at the Landmark London Hotel on 24th April 2018 Frank Warren Press Conference, Boxing, Landmark London Hotel, Marylebone, London, United Kingdom - 24 Apr 2018 — Saunders holds the WBO middleweight title (Picture: Rex Features)

Billy Joe Saunders will have the opportunity to convince the WBO not to strip him of his middleweight title.

The Massachusetts State Athletic Commission denied Saunders a licence to fight Demetrius Andrade on 20 October, forcing the bout to be cancelled.

Andrade will fight replacement Walter Kautondokwa and will be hoping to compete for the vacant WBO strap.

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A statement from the WBO read: [The] final WBO championship committee will order BJS to show why WBO shouldnt declare the title vacant.

BJS has the right to appeal any decision before the grievances committee according to Rule 34 of WBO Rules and Regulations.

The WBO have not yet to moved to strip Saunders yet and president Francisco Valcarcel Mulero responded to MSACs decision.

File photo dated 16-09-2017 of Billy Joe Saunders. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday September 18, 2018. Billy Joe Saunders has been charged with misconduct by the British Boxing Board of Control after the emergence of video footage in which he appears to offer a woman drugs. See PA story BOXING Saunders. Photo credit should read Scott Heavey/PA Wire. — (Picture: PA)

It is unfortunate that a boxer as talented as Saunders is facing this controversy and will not be able to defend the title, said Valcarcel today.

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The WBO will examine the situation with due diligence and proceed according to its Rules & Regulations decide which is the proper course of action.

The MSAC decided to refuse Saunders a licence after Vada said the Brit returned an adverse analytical finding in a recent drug test.

Despite @bjsaunders_ drug testing issues, I will ABSOLUTELY be fighting for the WBO Middleweight World Championship on October 20th @tdgarden either against Billy Joe or #2 ranked WBO contender Walter Kautondokwa 17-0, 16 kos. Get your tickets now!!

— Demetrius Andrade (@BooBooAndrade) October 3, 2018

Oxilofrine was found in Saunders system, which is a stimulant banned in competition, but not prohibited out of competition under UK Anti-Doping and British Boxing Board of Control regulations.

Frank Warren has insisted the results were due to Saunders taking a nasal spray. Saunders will not be punished in the UK, and is free to fight.

But his promoter Warren could move to appeal MSACs decision and will attempt to ensure Saunders title is not stripped.

Saunders will lose out on a seven-figure fight purse, but can still fight in the UK.

MORE: Frank Warren Column: Tyson Fury has rattled Deontay Wilder and already gained the upper hand

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