It’s a sad fact now in days that promotional wars and fighters being on “different sides of the street” normally dictates what matchups can and can’t be made.
Fortunately, with Billy Joe Saunders’ Matchroom Boxing signing on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, you can score one for boxing fans as the door is now wide open for Saunders to take on some of the best fighters in and around 160 and 168 pounds.
Saunders, an undefeated former world champion at Middleweight and current titleholder at Super Middleweight, has scored big wins over the likes of Chris Eubank and David Lemieux. But, the truly landmark fights have evaded him–partially due to his outside the ring troubles.
PED’s (and whether you believe he’s guilty or not) aside, Saunders has a tremendous opportunity in front of him.
With Matchroom Boxing comes DAZN, and with DAZN comes a huge talent pool that also extends to Golden Boy Promotions and the current golden child of the sport–Canelo Alvarez.
Saunders knows what’s ahead and he seems up for the challenge.
We know Saunders has the talent, so like he says, it’s time to walk the walk.
With guys like Gennadiy Golovkin, Demetrius Andrade, the aforementioned Mexican kingpin, Callum Smith and many more now actually available, Saunders can show what he is really made of.
“Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing can put me right out on the branch for those big fights,” said Saunders at a press conference earlier today announcing his signing with the promotional giant. “I’m on Golovkin and Alvarez’s turf.”
Hearn assured the press that while Saunders holds the WBO title at Super Middleweight, he’s also willing to fight at 160.
“He holds a world title at 168, but can also make 160 comfortable,” said Hearn. “When you look at the fighters we work with across our platforms, this was an obvious link up.”
With so many juicy options on the table, what fight would you like to see Saunders take first?
