Billy Joe Saunders could face action over hearing outburst as boxer is denied licence for Demetrius Andrade bout

Billy Joe Saunders could face fresh punishment after allegedly abusing American boxing officials after being refused a licence to fight next week.

Saunders was due to defend his WBO middleweight title against Demetrius Andrade in Boston on Saturday week, but was denied the right after a failed doping test.

The 29-year-old returned an adverse finding for the stimulant oxilofrine in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test in August. His promoter, Frank Warren, is likely to launch a legal battle against the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission, though, insisting the authorities must follow World Anti-Doping Agency rules and regard the test as being “out of competition”.

An alternative opponent, Namibia’s Walter Kautondokwa, has already been brought in to take on Andrade while the WBO sanctioning body goes through the legal process of officially stripping the Welwyn Garden City fighter of his belt.

Saunders is said to have been connected to the licence hearing on a telephone conference call and to have greeted the commission’s ruling by telling them over the line: “You can all s*** my p****”. That may lead to action by the British Boxing Board of Control, which recently hit Saunders with a £100,000 fine for bringing the sport into disrepute after he was seen in a social media video taunting a female drug user and offering her cash to perform a sex act. He was also given a severe reprimand about his future conduct.

The Board may now take further action over this episode, which has demeaned the standing of the sport, and could even withdraw Saunders’s licence to box in Britain.

The undefeated fighter has now lost a major opportunity to make an impact in the United States and a £1.8million pay day.

Saunders and Warren said the failed test was the result of the boxer unwittingly inhaling from a nasal decongestant spray and believed he would be given permission to compete.

Warren insists that the authorities in Boston have allowed UFC fighters to compete in similar circumstances and that could form the basis of a legal action against the ruling.

Although the WBO have already begun the process of removing Saunders’s title, he has 10 days in which to appeal.