Eddie Hearn believes that Billy Joe Saunders should quit social media before he does irreparable harm to his career.
Saunders is set to fight Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez on May 8, in a fight that could see him emerge as the top fighter at 168lb, but may have been distracted recently by the controversies he started on social media.
He launched attacks on Barry McGuigan and made light of a death threat made towards a BBC journalist, and it’s not the first time that Saunders has failed to meet the standards that others may expect, including a post that appeared to mock domestic violence.
Matchroom promoter Hearn suggested that the 31-year-old world champion should delete his social media presence.
Hearn said: “I think Billy should just delete social media really. It’s difficult because I think sometimes, and he’s brought a lot of it on himself, he’s portrayed a certain way and that doesn’t help him.
“He also finds it difficult to express his feelings and what he means when he’s trying to justify himself.
“Ultimately, all being well, Billy Joe Saunders is fighting Canelo Alvarez in one of the biggest fights of the year and the rest is over to him.
“I can’t babysit him, I can’t hold his hand. That’s it. That’s it for him. He either becomes a legend of British boxing that night or loses his world championship.
“The stage of me holding his hand and trying to guide him through how to behave on social media and how not to behave, it’s gone too far for that now.
“Not because of his reputation but it’s too late in the day to change Billy Joe Saunders. He is what he is. He’s an outstanding fighter so let’s see how outstanding he is. On May 8, we’ll find that out.”