Billy Joe Saunders cleared to defend world title after ‘adverse analytical finding’

Billy Joe Saunders has been cleared to fight Demetrius Andrade this month despite testing positive for a banned substance.

Reports emerged that a test carried out by the Voluntary Anti-Doping agency on Hatfield’s WBO world middleweight champion had returned “an adverse analytical finding”.

But a statement released by promoter Frank Warren, said the product in question, a “common decongestant nasal spray” was permitted “out of competition” by both United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

It said: “The British Boxing Board of Control under whose jurisdiction Billy Joe Saunders is licensed, are affiliated to UKAD and WADA only.

“They have confirmed that Mr Saunders is not in breach of BBBofC or UKAD anti-doping regulations and is therefore in good standing.

“He is licensed to box and defend his World Title on October 20.”