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Billy Joe Saunders statement: Nasal spray used, UKAD tests negative

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  • 2 min read

Billy Joe Saunders has released a statement on a nasal spray used before his forthcoming fight.

The 29 year-old was the subject of a failed drug test claim from a member of the US media on Thursday.

Reports Saunders will be stripped, and unable to compete on October 20 in Boston have been firmly denied.

“In response to reports of an adverse analytical finding in a test carried out by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association on Billy Joe Saunders. We can confirm that the product concerned is permitted to be used ‘Out of Competition’ by United Kingdom Anti-Doping.

“This is in line with the regulations of the World Anti-Doping Agency,” said a Frank Warren statement sent to World Boxing News.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the product in question was a common decongestant nasal spray.

“The British Boxing Board of Control under whose jurisdiction Billy Joe Saunders is licensed are affiliated only to UKAD/WADA.

“Today, the BBBofC have confirmed that Mr. Saunders is not in breach of BBBofC or UKAD anti-doping regulations. Therefore, he is in good standing and is licensed to box and defend his World Title on October 20th.

“Mr. Saunders was tested several times in 2018, all negative, his last out of competition test by UKAD was on 24th September 2018.”

ANDRADE

According to Warren, a fight with Demetrius Andrade, a mandatory defense of his WBO middleweight title, is full steam ahead.

Saunders is scheduled to fight on the DAZN platform in the United States as part of a Matchroom USA card.

The allegations made against Saunders come on the back of a fine from the British Board for a questionable social media video.

As per Frank Warren’s statement, Saunders is free to continue preparations for Andrade.

That is unless the Boston authorities decide to step in, which is unlikely if Saunders has been cleared of wrongdoing.

Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay.

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