Eddie Hearn claims he is “appalled” by Billy Joe Saunders’ “idiotic” behaviour in releasing a video, which appears to condone domestic violence.
Saunders has apologised for the video in which he uses a punchbag to advise men how to hit their female partners if they annoy them during the coronavirus pandemic.
Hearn admits he is frustrated by Saunders’s latest gaffe and insists the unbeaten WBO super-middleweight champ is not a bad person.
“I haven’t spoke to him,” said the Matchroom MD. “I spoke to his management team last night. I was appalled really.
“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.
“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.”
Two weight-world champion Saunders has previous and he was fined £100,000 in 2018 over a video, described as “sickening” by police, in which he offered a woman £150 worth of drugs to perform a sex act.
Hearn claims the controversial Traveller keeps shooting himself in the foot with these acts.
“It’s always the same with Billy,” he told talkSPORT. “He spent the weekend down at the NHS, delivering food packages, and meeting people.
“It’s one step forward, four steps back with Billy and it is frustrating.
“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.”
