WBO super middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders has issued a public apology, in the wake of having his boxing licence suspended after he offered advice to men on how to hit their female partners during the coronavirus lockdown.
Saunders demonstrated boxing techniques on a punching bag in a video posted on social media and was seen explaining what to do if "your old woman is giving you mouth" and how to "hit her on the chin".
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who guides Saunders' career, said he was "appalled" by the video.
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) on Monday suspended the 30-year-old Brit, who will face a hearing.
A statement from BBBofC general secretary Robert W. Smith said: "The British Boxing Board of Control having considered comments made by Billy Joe Saunders on social media have suspended his boxer's licence pending a hearing under the Board’s misconduct regulation, at a time and venue to be confirmed as soon as possible."
Saunders, who is far from a stranger when it comes to being involved in controversial antics, is asking for forgiveness.
"I would like to address the situation at hand. Let me first start by apologising, there is no excuse for my actions. It was a very, very, very bad, out of taste joke. I am a God fearing man and I do not condone domestic violence under any circumstances," Saunders stated.
"When I created the video in poor taste, I never considered how people might interpret it and instead was trying to make light out of the very stressful situation we have all found ourselves in and the heightened emotions of families being confined to one another's company.
"It did not cross my mind about the actual reality of domestic violence and its suffers and the second I realised it could cause any upset I quickly took the video down but unfortunately the way social media works, it spread like wildfire.
"I can't change that, I have and do wholeheartedly apologise. I can only take actions to help people and will be making a donation from my next fight purse to a British domestic violence charity to help victims and prevent future victims of domestic abuse. I will also host some self-defence workshops and seminars for survivors and current or potential sufferers of domestic violence.
"Unfortunately I can't take the video back, but I can do my bit to help people who suffer or have suffered and become part of the public topic to prevent domestic violence and change future generations' attitudes and that's what I am committed to doing."