British boxer Billy Joe Saunders has formally apologised for the video he posted on social media showing men how to hit women during the coronavirus lockdown.

Earlier today, the 30 year-old was subsequently banned from boxing by the British Boxing Board of Control pending a hearing.

Following the ban he took to Twitter to admit the decision to post the video was ill-judged, labelling it a 'very, very, very bad out of taste joke'.

He said: "Let me first start by apologizing. There is no excuse for my actions.

"When I created the video in poor taste, I never considered how people might interpret it and instead was trying to make light of the very stressful situation we have all found ourselves in and the heightened emotions of families being confined to each other's company.

"It did not cross my mind about the actual reality of domestic violence and its sufferers and the second I realized 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 voice to prevent domestic violence and change future generations attitudes and that's what I am committed to doing."