Eddie Hearn appalled by ‘idiotic’ Billy Joe Saunders for appearing to condone domestic violence

The super-middleweight world champion shared a video advising men how to hit their female partners if tempers flared during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic

Eddie Hearn has hit out at the conduct of Billy Joe Saunders (Getty)

Eddie Hearn has labelled Billy Joe Saunders as “idiotic” and claims his conduct is “unacceptable”.

The Matchroom promoter is “appalled” by the super-middleweight world champion after the boxer released a video on social media that appeared to condone domestic violence.

Saunders filmed himself punching a heavy bag while explaining how to contend with a female partner if her temper flared while couples are self-isolating due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But despite Saunders publicly apologising, Hearn is upset with his fighter’s behaviour.

“I haven’t spoke to him. I spoke to his management team last night. I was appalled really,” the Matchroom promoter told Talk Sport.

Hearn is appalled by Saunders (PA)

“It was so idiotic, it was so frustrating because I know Billy well. He’s a really good kid, with a really good heart. He does a lot for the community, he does a lot for charity, but every now and again he does the most stupid things. The world has changed and realised about all kinds of different things, about how you need to treat people.

“It’s always with Billy. He spent the weekend down at the NHS, delivering food packages, and meeting people. It’s one step forward, four steps back with Billy Joe Saunders and it is frustrating.

“He’s got this mentality where it’s me against the world. Sometimes you can have a conversation with him and say ‘Bill, what are you doing?’ And sometimes that can make it worse. I leave him alone now and when I talk to him, I will be telling him, you’re a prat, what are you doing?

“I can only tell you, he does have a good heart, he didn’t mean anything in the video, but you just can’t do it, especially when you’re in your position. It’s unacceptable for Joe Bloggs down the street to do it. It’s much more unacceptable for a world champion boxer to be doing it.

“Thinking you’re having a laugh, or not having a laugh, young people are watching that video. People who are in abusive relationships are watching that video. You cannot do it, it’s unacceptable.”