Billy Joe Saunders Ready for Unification Contest In 2021
Billy Joe Saunders made the second defense of his WBO super middleweight title with a comfortable success over Martin Murray. The unbeaten boxer is now targeting a unification contest in 2021 against some of the biggest names in the sport.
Saunders has been linked with fights with Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin in the past, but the 31-year-old is yet to have a mega showdown against one of these prominent names.
The British boxer has not been very active over the last two years. He has appeared in the ring on just three occasions. His victory over Murray was his only bout in 2020, not that you could tell, as the man from Hertfordshire looked sharp, getting a wide margin success on all three judges’ scorecards.
Saunders does have some impressive wins on his record. He defeated Irishman Andy Lee in December 2015 to land the WBO middleweight title. Three fights later, he traveled to Quebec to defend his belt against Canadian David Lemieux, winning that contest on points against a dangerous opponent.
Saunders Will Be a Keen Observer of Canelo-smith Fight
WBA (Super) champion Callum Smith is set for the biggest test of his career later this month. He is due to take on WBA (Regular) champion and number one ranked pound-for-pound boxer on the planet, Canelo Alvarez.
The winner of that contest will regard themselves as the highest-ranked boxer in the super middleweight division. As the WBO champion, Saunders will want to face the winner in a unification contest with both belts on the line.
A clash with Alvarez would be very lucrative for Saunders. That fight could take place in the United States in May in the Mexican’s regular slot on the calendar. Canelo has only suffered one defeat so far in his career and that came against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Smith goes into his fight with Canelo as the +350 underdog in the boxing betting to prevail. The Liverpool man is 27-0 since turning pro and has held his world title since beating George Groves in 2018.
Demetrius Andrade and GGG Also Potential Opponents
Two-weight world champion Demetrius Andrade has been vocal this year about facing Saunders in the near future. The American holds the WBO middleweight title right now. He could step up a division to face the Brit in 2021.
Boo Boo must defend his title against Liam Williams early next year or vacate his title. The latter outcome could free him up to go after Saunders and have a chance of becoming a three-weight world champion.
Saunders is not giving up on a contest with Golovkin. GGG will face Kamil Szeremeta this month in his first fight since November 2019. The IBF middleweight champion is now 38 years old, so time is running out for the British competitor to secure that bout.
Whoever is next for Saunders, they will be fully aware of how talented he is. His best years in the ring may still be ahead of him. One thing is for sure, he deserves the chance to test himself with the best boxers in and around his division.
