LONDON: The first blow in Saturday's WBO middleweight clash between Billy Joe Saunders and Willie Monroe Jr was landed at Friday's weigh-in -- by the British fighter's son and it was definitely below the belt.
As the two fighters squared up on the stage, it was seven-year-old Stevie Saunders who hit out after Monroe had ruffled his hair.
Saunders junior responded to the friendly gesture by hitting Monroe below the belt and then aiming a kick at him before being ushered away by security.
Defending his son's antics, Saunders senior tweeted: "My sons been taught when A stranger puts their hands on them they don't know punch and run away self defence."