Billy Joe Saunders spared jail after ‘utilizing bottle as weapon’ in child bathe brawl
Former boxing world champion Billy Joe Saunders reportedly attacked rival thugs with beer bottles during a mass brawl at a baby shower as the 37-year-old has been spared jail
Billy Joe Saunders was involved in a mass brawl at a baby shower(Image: PA)
Former boxing world champion Billy Joe Saunders has been spared jail after reportedly getting into a mass brawl at a baby shower.
The former WBO middleweight champion, 37, allegedly used a beer bottle to assault rival thugs after violence erupted at the event. Saunders was one of nine men who were involved in the ‘very violent’ brawl in Warwick.
Warwick Crown Court heard that one man was stabbed through the hand with a flick knife, and another man was alleged to have been seen with a gun, according to the Daily Mail. All those involved had been invited to the ceremony at Poppy’s Club in Bulkington, Warwickshire. The incident happened in November 2021.
Billy Joe Saunders held the WBO middleweight title(Image: Getty Images)
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A witness said that Saunders was “drunk, drinking a lot” and claimed the former boxer was being “derogatory” towards Irish people.
The court heard a fight broke out between two members of the group earlier in the evening before tensions initially calmed. However, matters started again for an unknown reason after midnight on November 28.
Prosecuting, Patrick Sullivan, said one witness saw Saunders emptying a beer bottle near the bar so he could use it as a weapon.
Saunders last fought in 2021
He was then seen wrestling with one man as he tried to hit him with the bottle. The court also heard Saunders smashed bottles by throwing them across the room. The ex-British boxer then threw six punches in four seconds at four men.
Saunders was sentenced to 15 months in jail, suspended for 18 months. The judge said: “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.”
Sebastian Gardiner, defending Saunders, said that his client’s life had spiralled just months before the melee when he lost to Canelo Alvarez in May 2021, in front of 73,126 people at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Saunders’ eye socket was broken during the unification fight, which forced him into retirement following his first career loss. He soon began putting on weight and turned to alcohol.
Saunders suffered a fractured eye socket against Canelo Alvarez(Image: USA TODAY Sports)
His Honour Judge Thomas Rochford said that as a pro boxer Saunders “should be able to manage his feelings in a way others can’t”.
Mr Gardiner said Saunders’ “world was tumbling down”, adding: “It was an incident that took place at a time where he was extremely low, he had been drinking for the first time in his adult life.” He continued to say Saunders saw it as a “catalyst” for him to recognise he was “mismanaging his life”.
Saunders was ordered to pay £1,000 in costs and a £1,000 fine, and must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months. All five defendants pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
The British boxer was sentenced for illegally using dogs to chase and kill hares(Image: Lincolnshire Police)
The court heard how Saunders had been training with a view to making a professional return in December. The judge noted on his intentions to return to the ring: “I know a custodial sentence would affect that.”
In September last year, Saunders was sentenced to a community order and fined after pleading guilty to illegally using dogs to hunt and kill hares. He was filmed telling a police officer to “f*** your mother” during a furious rant while being arrested for hare-coursing.
In 2020, Saunders was fined £150,000 for a shameful video of him appearing to condone domestic violence by hitting a punching bag and advising viewers to use those skills if a partner was annoying them during the Covid lockdown.
Two years earlier, Saunders was fined £100,000 by the British Boxing Board of Control after a video emerged showing him offering drugs to an addict in return for a sex act.
