Boxing champion Billy Joe Saunders has caused outrage after posting a video which appears to condone domestic abuse.

The English boxer has apologised for filming an exercise tutorial which showed men how to hit their partners.

The video, which has circulated on social media, shows the WBO super middleweight champion in his shed with a punchbag in front of him.

In it, the 30-year-old advises men on how to physically hit partners who are “giving you mouth” during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.

“I just wanted to make a little video for all you dads, husbands, if you’ve got girlfriends et cetera,” Saunders says.

“Obviously this COVID-19 is getting very serious and we are isolated away in tight spaces.

“If your old woman is giving you mouth and you try to be patient, you try to be calm, cool, but after the sixth day you’re just about to explode,” he explains, before going on to demonstrate how viewers should punch their partners.

In an interview with TalkSport, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn described the video as “idiotic”.

“I was appalled really,” he said.

“It was so idiotic, it was so frustrating because I know Billy well. He’s a really good kid, with a really good heart… but every now and again he does the most stupid things.

“It’s unacceptable for Joe Bloggs down the street to do it. It’s much more unacceptable for a world champion boxer to be doing it.

“People who are in abusive relationships are watching that video. You cannot do it, it’s unacceptable,” the promoter said.

Saunders has subsequently apologised for the video.

“I would never condone domestic violence and if I saw a man touch a woman I would smash him to pieces myself,” Saunders said in post on Twitter.

“I have a daughter and if a man laid a finger on her it would be end well [sic].

“Apologies if I offended any women [sic] stay blessed.”

His account now appears to have been suspended.

The footage caused fierce backlash on social media over the weekend, including from the comedian Janey Godley, with many calling for Saunders to be barred from competing.

“My mum was murdered by her ex-BF… maybe this boxer thinks it’s a joke,” Ms Godley said on Twitter.

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