World middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders has been charged with misconduct by the British Boxing Board of Control [BBBofC] following an explicit social media post.
In a video posted on Instagram, the WBO belt holder is seen in his car, offering a woman drugs in exchange for a sexual act. Saunders is also heard asking the woman to punch a passer-by. When she does attack the pedestrian, Saunders drives off.
In a statement on Tuesday, Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that they have opened an investigation into the incident.
"Officers will be looking to identify and speak to all of those who feature in this sickening video, and a full investigation will be carried out into the number of offences that have been captured on film, including the offer to supply Class A drugs, aiding and abetting an assault, assault and public order offences," they said.
Saunders has been summoned to appear before a BBBofC panel next week to answer the misconduct charge.
The 29-year-old, who is due to fight Demetrius Andrade in Boston on Oct. 20, later posted an apology on social media.
"Apologise to everybody who's took offence totally in the wrong, can't do anything but be sorry," he wrote on Twitter.