WBO middleweight world champion Billy Joe Saunders has had to formally confirm his next fight with Martin Murray has been postponed today.

This will come as frustrating news for Saunders who is coming fresh off the back of a career best performance in Canada just before Christmas when he outclassed Golden Boy Promotion’s David Lemieux over the duration.

The twelve round points win gained him deserving plaudits as he looked set to land a unification fight later this year.

He firstly confirmed the Martin Murray bout however for April 14th at the 02 Arena in London.

But that has had to be put back today due to an injury sustained to Saunders in training, his promoter confirmed.

The fight has now been moved to June 23rd instead and will take place at the same venue.

It is understood that tickets purchased for the original date will still be valid for the new date.

Here is what the champion had to say to his fans on Twitter:

Like to apologise to the fans and to @MartinMurrayBox disappoint is a understatement but I have to be ? for Martin ‘ new date 23rd June ???

— billyjoesaunders (@bjsaunders_) March 20, 2018