Billy Joe Saunders has been out of the ring since he was handed his first career loss by Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez back in 2021. Now, he’s speaking to promoters and broadcasters about a long-awaited return.
The two-weight world champion took time off after the Canelo bout to recover from multiple fractures to his eye socket. When he didn’t return in 2022, some fans believed that the 34-year-old would hang up the gloves for good, but he has since confirmed that he is getting fit to fight.
Saunders told Box Nation that he has a ‘route planned’ for the return.
“Now I’m a free agent, I can have a chat [with other promoters]. People didn’t know I was a free agent, but now I am. If a promoter wants to get in touch, which I know they will, Netflix have reached out, so it’s interesting times at the minute. I’ve got something planned, a sort of route that I’m going to go down and that give me the incentive I need to get in the gym to work alongside these young, hungry fighters.”
Saunders had initially discussed returning at the light-heavy limit of 175lbs before aiming to make his more-suited 168 again. It’s believed he would target a tune-up fight before something more high-profile, and he believes the latter will be a rematch with Chris Eubank Jr.
“Everyone knows it’s going to be me and Eubank. Eubank knows that he’s going to end up fighting me. I know if I come back, I’m going to end up fighting him. We will settle our differences in the ring, rather than on Instagram or in interviews.”
Saunders boxed Eubank Jr to a split decision victory to retain his British, Commonwealth and European Middleweight belts back in 2014, and the rivalry has done nothing but deepen since.
The pair regularly trade harsh words and, as two of the most animated talkers in British boxing, a rematch sells itself.
Eubank was most recently in the ring in September of last year to avenge his loss to Liam Smith, which he did so in ten rounds. Since then, talks with Conor Benn have failed yet again and there’s no clear opponent on the horizon.
