Former boxing world champion Billy Joe Saunders has been spared jail after being involved in a mass brawl at a baby shower. The 37-year-old, who once held the WBO middleweight title, was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Warwick Crown Court.
Violent brawl at baby shower
Saunders was one of nine men involved in the 'very violent' brawl at Poppy's Club in Bulkington, Warwickshire, in November 2021. The court heard that one man was stabbed through the hand with a flick knife, and another man was allegedly seen with a gun.
Prosecuting, Patrick Sullivan, said a witness saw Saunders emptying a beer bottle near the bar so he could use it as a weapon. Saunders was then seen wrestling with one man as he tried to hit him with the bottle. The court also heard he smashed bottles by throwing them across the room and threw six punches in four seconds at four men.
Boxer's downfall after Canelo defeat
Sebastian Gardiner, defending Saunders, said 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.
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."
Sentencing and previous offences
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 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. In 2020, he was fined £150,000 for a video of him appearing to condone domestic violence, and two years earlier he 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.
