WBO middleweight world champion Billy Joe Saunders, claims he knew one of his opponents had taken performance-enhancing drugs before their bout.

The unbeaten British boxer with a record of 26-0 made the accusations on talkSPORT in the build up to his fight against fellow Brit middleweight, Martin Murray on June 23.

“I know I have boxed an opponent on some sort of drug. I know I have,” Saunders told Jim White.

“I would put my house down that he was on something when I boxed him.

“I’m not stupid, I’ve been in this sport a long time. I can look at somebody and know what’s going on.

“I’m not saying recently, but I know in my career I’ve boxed someone who took a shortcut... I just 100% know.”

There has been a big spotlight on the middleweight division since Mexican Canelo Alvarez was recently banned for six months after testing positive for clenbuterol.

This meant that the huge rematch between Canelo and Gennady Golovkin couldn't go ahead on May 5, infuriating boxing fans due to the significance of the fight.

Billy Joe Saunders has always spoken about his intent to fight Canelo Alvarez and GGG as they are viewed as the best two pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.

However, the controversial suspension for Canelo has caused a huge stir and Saunders feels particularly strong about it.

“I think they should’ve taken more action against him because a six-month ban was just cancelling a date for him he’s then free to fight six months after,” declared Saunders.

“It’s just unacceptable and not a good example to set to young fighters in the game.

“Even on his ban, he will still announce a fight. Is it a ban really?”

It feels almost inevitable that Saunders and GGG will meet in the future, however, they both have fights on June 23 and May 5 to worry about first.