Billy Joe Saunders disgusted by claims he taunted Barry McGuigan over the death of his daughter
BJS: "For people to suggest I'd talk about the daughter, a dead daughter, when I've a young daughter of my own – you scumbags, all get a life."
Two-weight world champion Billy Joe Saunders vehemently denies claims he taunted Barry McGuigan over the 2019 death of his daughter during a persistent sequence of Instagram posts in which he labelled McGuigan a rat following the controversial Daniel Kinahan focused BBC Panorama programme on Monday, February 1.
The world champion, who is well known for his outlandish behaviour and comments, has denied taunting boxer turned manager Barry McGuigan over the tragic death of his daughter as furious fans call for him to be axed from the sport.
The shocking allegations were made after the 31-year-old fighter posted a series of Instagram stories – with one depicting former boxer McGuigan as a rat.
The controversial middleweight champion said: "Anyone know we're I can get a cage for McGuigan just look at him he is a bit scruffy and smelly."
He then followed it up by asking his 427,000 followers: "Any flower shops for Valentines so I can send my daughter thank you DM me."
McGuigan, a former world champion himself, lost his beloved daughter Danika in 2019 after she sadly died of cancer at such a very young age.
He tweeted last month: "Our daughter Nika would have been 35 today. Our hearts ache everyday for her. RIP"
Saunders' social media posts on Wednesday night provoked fresh outrage.
It followed McGuigan's interview on the BBC show focused on the co-founder of management company MTK, Daniel Kinahan, who is a close friend of Saunders.
Fans have now called for promoter Eddie Hearn to drop all ties with Saunders.
This comes after a mega fight between Saunders and boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez was reportedly agreed for later this year.
Kevin David Hayes wrote: "Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing your brand will be tarnished and diminished for ever more if you ignore what Billy Joe Saunders just put online. It's indefensible. Cut all ties with this scumbag."
Another fan wrote: "You want people to watch boxing again? Never have anything to do with Billy Joe Saunders. Mocking a man for his daughter dying of cancer?"
Irish sportswriter Gavan Casey said: "A reminder that behind Billy Joe Saunders' ghoulish mask is an even more horrible human being."
Fellow boxing writer Kieran Cunningham added: "Have a fair idea what he's getting at here. Vile."
One fan said: "I was a huge fan of Billy Joe Saunders but he CANNOT be defended on this one. As he works for you and represents you and your company it's your duty to condemn. You can't ignore this Eddie speak up and don't let your company be tarnished by that proper vermin."
Saunders responded on Instagram immediately by saying: "On Twitter I'm getting a lot of negative feedback because on my Instagram and my Facebook there was a daughter challenge.
'"I put my daughter up, my young beautiful daughter up. People are suggesting that I've put that up because I've got a flower company for Valentine's for my daughter, another teddy bears and bits and bobs and suggesting I'm aiming that at a certain ex boxer's daughter who passed away which I'm very sorry about.
"Yes what I said and posted about McGuigan I do think he's a horrible slimy man but I would never lower my standards and talk about the dead.
"Please do not suggest that I talk about the dead, I've had very close loved ones who've passed away.
"For people to suggest I'd talk about the daughter, a dead daughter, when I've a young daughter of my own – you scumbags, all get a life."
Saunders was heavily fined by the BBBofC in 2018 after a video emerged of him manipulating a drug addict and sex worker from xxxbios.com to slap an innocent a bystander while filming the scene from his car.
He was then also in trouble again last year after sharing a video advising men how best to hit women, to which he quickly donated £25k to a domestic abuse charity in apology.
Currently the controversial double champion is chasing a career-best clash with Canelo.
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