Billy Joe Saunders says he’s the boxer with the style to undo Canelo Alvarez. They will clash in a huge WBC, WBA, WBO super middleweight unification bout on May 8, live worldwide on DAZN (except Mexico). The site is TBA.
“Canelo, I’m ready to rock and roll,” said Saunders. “You have to dare to be great and you aren’t going to be a great if you don’t beat the greats. I believe I am the only one with the footwork, knowhow, skillset, mindset and brain to unlock that door in Canelo.
“He’s the main man in the sport and the face of boxing. You have to give him respect, he hasn’t ducked anyone, he’s beaten good names, but nobody is unbeatable, and I believe I have got the tools to beat him if I use them properly and if the game plan comes off that I believe works.
“I am looking at the golden ticket to cement my legacy, and that’s how you have to go in there to beat him. I’ve won everything from Southern Area to world titles, I could say ‘I’ve won it all, been to the Olympics, I’m unbeaten – I’ll see you later’. But I’ve only just turned 31, I’ve got no miles on the clock, haven’t taken any punishment – I believe he’s been in harder fights than me and has more miles, so I want to cement my legacy and beat him.”
I disagree. Saunders has no power to keep off Canelo’s onslaught as the fight progresses. Yes, Saunders can move and keep out of harm’s way, but it’s a matter of time before Canelo cuts him off and pounds him down to a loss on his record. Boring matchup in my book. Sorry, but not feeling it.
not likely
Saunders will be a better test than Smith or even Plant.
The definition of “test” is more like a easy pop quiz in my book.
I think BJS has the style to frustrate and outbox Canelo, I’m just not sure if he’s got the engine to do it for 12 rounds.
My money is on BJS!
Smart man, and it might be 5 or 6 to 1
BJS – will get the fight.
BJS will get what’s coming to him. Some people like to play the bad guy – making fun of homeless people and all that stuff, Canelo will walk through his feather punches and batter him senseless. Billy joe has no chance.
BJS is tough so he’ll take his beating. He needs to pray it’s worth the payday. He really needs to start praying. Make sure he’s right with God before this one.
hahahahahaha….. lets get him baptized.
Not too sure about that. BJS, aside from his antics outside the ring he is highly skilled and does have the tools to beat Canelo. This is one of those fights where you need to separate public hype from reality. BJS is a slick southpaw with great foot movement and power. This is a fight to keep your eye on….
Spot on. I dont like BJS but he’s probably got the best chance out of anybody to pull off the upset against Canelo.
Slick southpaws aren’t easy for anyone. When hes motivated BJS has the kind of style that will be difficult for anyone. Canelo is one of the best in the world but I think people overrate his power. Hes good at breaking people down but thats not going to be easy against Saunders.
You deal with homeless people on a daily basis? I do. A good percentage deserve it
Looking forward to reading your autobiography. You seem like you could be the reincarnation of Ghandi.
Canelo in 2!
No Saunders will not beat Canelo Alvarez. Saunders can move around a bit, but he’s not a runner like Floyd Mayweather to stay at harms reach for the entire fight and he has no power. At some point he’s going to go toe to toe and take shots as Canelo will just keep moving forward. He’s not going to beat Canelo. I don’t see it happening.
yea thats what they all say ..then when they get beat they come up with all the excuses ..lets hear the excuses first !!!!
BJS will look good, showing fancy footwork and flashy moves, British commentators will be getting excited saying an upset is on the cards!, but after a couple of rounds things will start turning around. Saunders could even be the better boxer, who knows, but he will not have the fitness to keep Canelo’s constant pressure at bay.
Not matter how good is the bicycle Saunders will ride, I can see its wheels coming off after 8 rounds. I believe 168 is and has been the real weight of Canelo Alvarez, he looks massive, powerful now that doesn’t need to struggle in making weight.
This Yildrim guy stood right in front of him and didnt throw any punches.. you think BJS will do the same thing?
Yildrim is a P4P great. Someone whose career won’t be defined by this single fight – he will be remembered for all the classics he was involved in back in Turkey the true Mecca of professional boxing.
All you guys saying “BJS doesn’t have the power to keep Canelo off him”. Did Mayweather have the power to keep Canelo away???
Berserker: Nope, Mayweather did not have the power to keep Canelo away either, but recon the difference is Mayweather had tremendous fitness and stamina which BJS will only have for a couple of rounds to look good.
People really underrate Saunders here. Not only is he competitive with Canelo’s size and weight (Saunders fills out 168 just fine), he also has mastered distance and knows how to shave off a good shot.
Personally I think this is a good fight if not great fight. I think the unique combination of Saunders controlling for distance and being comfortable at this weight is going to make this one of the more challenging fights for Canelo. GGG by comparison is way easier to find and trade with because he’s there to be hit.
A guy like Saunders you have to look for. No he’s not Mayweather but at 168 he doesn’t need to be. Everyone is slower at 168 than Mayweather at 147 including Canelo. Saunders places his punches very well, is very patient and has the toolkit here to make Canelo look beatable.
I’ll still take Canelo by MD but I think this fight is competitive. It may not read that way from the final scorecards though that depends on what the location is.
Great analysis.
Run all night Billy
One thing Saunders has is self belief. I’m not totally sure Smith had total conviction that he was going to win.
Also he turned down an offer due to not having enough time to prepare which suggests to me that he also wants to give himself a real chance of winning and not just for the payday.
He may not win but I think he will give C problems
Boring fight. Saunders will stick and move for 12 rounds. Charlo would be a much worthier opponent
Saunders has zero chance with Canelo, he will run and it’s only a matter of time before Canelo knocks him cold. If he doesn’t come up with some excuse to back out of fight first.
With all the hype talk by Saunders, what he’s looking for, is a big payday fighting Canelo. Frankly, he doesn’t even stand a puncher’s chance of winning. Canelo welcomes this fight, since he’s fighting pushovers so as not to lose. He will collect another belt, continue to chase greatness which eludes him because he avoids fighting anyone who poses a serious, realistic threat.
How can you say that. He has fought nothing but the best GGG Kovalev and all top contenders and champions
BJS on his best day can possibly turn a fight with Canelo into a slap grab run just like Money Mayweather. I would take BJS as a live underdog except no judge will risk life voting for BJS in decsion against Canelo…
I see a blowout for Canelo or a very boring 12rd unanimous decision for Canelo. Once Saunders feels the power he will be running back to the UK!
Canelo is going to run through him.
Sauders has a good chance for the upset his tough as nails!!
Billy has the speed angles and skill set. Yes his power is lacking BUT as we all know speed is power. Let’s see if he can sustain the matador to the bull for 12 rounds