Billy Joe Saunders has had his license suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control ©Getty Images

Billy Joe Saunders, who boxed for Britain at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, has had his license suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBoC) after posting a video on social media appearing to encourage domestic violence.

In the video, Saunders was shown hitting a punchbag and suggesting such techniques could be used on a female partner.

The boxer later apologised on his Twitter account, admitting there was "no excuse" for his behavior but insisting "I do not condone domestic violence under any circumstances" and that the post was a joke of poor taste.

The BBBoC stepped in today and revoked his licence.

"The British Boxing Board of Control having considered comments made by Billy Joe Saunders on social media have suspended his boxer’s licence pending a hearing under the Board’s misconduct regulation, at a time and venue to be confirmed as soon as possible", said a statement.

Refuge, a charity helping victims of abuse, condemned Saunders' actions.

"Videos like this reinforce what we already know: society's attitude towards domestic violence simply has to change", chief executive Sandra Horley CBE said.

"Sharing content like this is as dangerous as it is shocking and we should call it out for what it is. 

"Unacceptable."

Billy Joe Saunders lost in the second round at Beijing 2008 ©Getty Images
Billy Joe Saunders lost in the second round at Beijing 2008 ©Getty Images

Fighting in the welterweight division at Beijing 2008, Saunders lost in the second round to Cuba's Carlos Banteux, who would ultimately win the silver medal.

Upon his return home, the British boxer was fined by the Amateur Boxing Association for alleged lewd behaviour.

Saunders had his first professional fight in 2009 and is undefeated through 29 professional bouts, having won world titles at middleweight and super middleweight.

His conduct on social media has landed Saunders in trouble before.

In 2018, the BBBoC fined him £100,000 ($124,000/€113,000) after he filmed himself offering somebody drugs in return for performing a sex act and encouraging them to assault another member of the public.

The same year, Saunders' fight against Demetrius Andrade fell through after he tested positive for banned stimulant oxilofrine. 

Saunders was due to fight Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez at the start of May, but that bout was called off in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

A BBBoC license is only necessary if Saunders was to fight in Britain - he could still fight in the United States or elsewhere without one - and Saunders is unlikely to have a fight planned in the immediate future anyway, given the Government restrictions in place in Britain and beyond to try and curb the spread of COVID-19.