BILLY JOE SAUNDERS is no longer the WBO middleweight champion. After an adverse finding in a VADA (the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) administered test he was denied a licence to box by the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission (MSAC). That ruled him out of boxing Demetrius Andrade on October 20 and the WBO have announced that Saunders has now vacated his title.

WBO President Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcárcel said, “B. J. Saunders has voluntarily vacated the WBO middleweight title, and publicly apologised for his violation of the Massachusetts Athletic Commission’s anti-doping regulations.

“Therefore, the clash between Demetrius Andrade and [replacement opponent] Walter Kautondonkwa scheduled for October 20 will now be for the vacant world crown.