Chris Eubank Jr's manager, Napper, has accused Billy Joe Saunders of racism during their altercation before Saturday night's big fight.

Less than two hours before Eubank Jr's win over Conor Benn, Saunders attempted to gain access to where his former rival was preparing in his dressing room, with his hands being wrapped.

But security blocked his path, before fiery words were exchanged. Saunders claimed that he wanted to get in to inspect Eubank Jr's gloves to ensure 'fair wrapping, no cheating', but he was told that there was already one of Benn's team members in there.

However, this did not satisfy Saunders, who asked: 'What team member's in there? Because under Conor's orders... listen bruv, you're a nobody, just like an old big bouncer.'

Things then escalated as Saunders appeared to threaten his former opponent's manager, before being dragged away by security.

In the fallout of the bout, though, Napper, real name Elliott Amoakoh, accused Saunders of firing 'little racist remarks' his way.

'We had no idea who they were going to send,' Napper told Boxing King Media. 'They can send whoever they want, but I am not going to let him into the changing room.

'You haven't seen me out watching any of the other fights, I had to make sure that guy was not getting in the changing room. When I heard that was their plan, I thought it was a good one.

'We're not best friends with the guy, it's been 11 years since they fought and there have been words exchanged ever since.

'I don't know if the British Board said he was allowed or wasn't allowed or if team Benn sent him or didn't. I am telling you I was never going to allow him into the changing room and I was ready to fall out with whoever. It is physically impossible for him to make his way past me.

'You can shout and do this and that, and he slipped in little racist remarks that I didn't hear - it just shows you he level of class the guy has.'

Footage appeared to show Saunders calling Napper 'rubber lips' and 'big nose'.

After being told firmly by Napper that he was not coming inside, Saunders asked provocatively multiple times: 'What are you going to do?'

Saunders then went on to repeat: 'You're a nobody', adding: 'I'd write you off in seconds. Big nose. Look at the state of you.'

As Saunders was ushered away, he continued his aggressive rant by telling Napper: 'Do you know you, do you know when you're outside, you come to me big boy. I'll splatter you.' More words were also seemingly exchanged.

Reacting to footage of Saunders being denied entry to Eubank's dressing room, seemingly without the benefit of the audio, former WBO cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson said on Sky Sports: 'At the end of the day, if they don't want to let him in, they will just not let him in.

'They will have to get a replacement. So the Eubanks will say: "He's not coming in. What can you do? If you want this fight to happen, you've got to find somebody else."'

The incident underscores the long-standing animosity between Saunders and Eubank Jr, dating back to their 2014 British middleweight title bout, which Saunders won by split decision.

Saunders, who has not fought since his 2021 loss to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, is a close friend and former gym-mate of Conor Benn.

He has been supporting Benn in the lead-up to the fight and was expected to be part of Benn's team on the night.