Martin Murray dropped the news first on his Instagram page that Billy Joe Saunders had been forced to pull out from their June 23 world title bout due to a hamstring injury. The challenger was visibly agitated over the news and questioned the legitimacy of Saunders’ injury and proceeded to call the WBO World middleweight titleholder a ‘sh*ithouse.’
The champion was not pleased with Murray’s comments and responded with a video of his own.
“If I’m a sh*thouse I’m in Manchester on Saturday, you can say that to my face an I will lay you cold on the floor!” said Saunders.
Things heating up between Saunders and Murray as they trade insults over social media! pic.twitter.com/eJsVkP6YXF
— BOXRAW (@BOXRAW) June 4, 2018
Alongside the videos, the two boxers have also traded barbs on Twitter.
A good liar has to have a good memory. Thought you couldn't fight me cuz you was injured? #GrowUphttps://t.co/4hRhdY4cZm
— Martin Murray (@MartinMurrayBox) June 4, 2018
Stop crying over it understand you wanted a few pound same as every one ' from a Business end at this stage of my career if I'm not 💯 percent I won't fight ' so chill put the slippers on, pipe out enjoy the family 👍🏻 https://t.co/2op0B6WjOL
— billyjoesaunders (@bjsaunders_) June 4, 2018
In an exclusive interview with Boxing News, Murray labeled Saunders ‘as an embarrassment of the sport.’
“He’s done a post on Instagram, offered me a straightener at Tyson Fury’s fight on Saturday in Manchester. First of all, how old is he? Second of all, he couldn’t fight me because he’s injured but now he wants a straightener,” said Murray.
He then added:
“We were meant to be having a proper fight for money in two weeks, but he couldn’t because he’s injured. But instead he wants a straightener next Saturday and he’s okay to do that. He’s not injured to do that but he’s injured to fight for his world title belt. The thing is with him he doesn’t want to lose his belt because he knows I’ve got his number. He’s never fought anybody like me.”
“He’s a f****** s***house. That’s all I can say about him,” Murray declared. “He can’t intimidate me. He’s a f****** idiot. The fight’s gone now, it’s never going to happen. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. There’s no way I’d ever fall for it a third time. He’s still giving it the big ‘un now. He’s just an embarrassment, an embarrassment to the sport and just a horrible little creature.”
According to promoter Frank Warren, the show will go on without Saunders at the O2.
“This is a massive blow but the show must go on. I feel for the fans and for Martin but if Billy is injured, there’s no way he can fight. It’s important we still deliver to the live and the TV audience and they can look forward to seeing many of London’s finest boxing talents on June 23 at the O2 Arena,” stated Warren.