Via Barry Holbrook: Eddie Hearn said he spoke with the agent of former two-division world champion Billy Joe Saunders about returning to the ring in September or October.
As long as 32-year-old Saunders is still young enough to be able to shed the weight he’s been carrying, we could see him back in action. He needs to drop to 170s to be able to make 168.
In recent photos of Billy Joe, he seems a lot taller than that weight. With the right engine, Saunders should be able to cut
Hearn wants Saunders (30-1, 14 KOs) to play a rematch against John Ryder and then receive Chris Eubank Jr. next year.
Playing against Ryder will make Saunders a mandatory WBA for super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, to whom Billy Joe lost a year ago in May 2021.
Hearn did not mention Saunder’s right eye injury he suffered in the loss to Canelo. Billy Joe’s right eye socket was cracked in several places after being hit in the head by Canelo in round 8. The shot immediately created a swelling in Saunders’ eye, rendering him unable to fight.
Between rounds, Billy Joe told coach Mark Tibbs that he couldn’t see his injured eye, leaving him with no choice but to pause the game.
“I want to see Billy Joe back in the ring. We are talking to him about possible wars in September/October,“Eddie Hearn said to TalkSPORT about former double world champion Saunders likely to return to the ring in 2022.
Hearn said of Billy Joe: “He had to go back to the gym and lose weight because he was known for taking selfies between camps.
It’s going to be a tough ask for Saunders to get straight into the fight against Ryder 17 months after being sacked, but it’s a match that will sell.
Saunders vs. Brook will be an exciting match for fans. In order for Saunders to continue making the money he is familiar with, he needs to fight Ryder, Chris Eubank Jr., or another famous boxer. Too bad Kell Brook is retired.
“He was a very good fighter,” Hearn said of Saunders. “Until he broke his eye socket against Canelo Alvarez, he was having a great fight.
“Of course, Billy Joe Saunders and Chris Eubank Jr will be fighting on the road. I want to see John Ryder vs Billy Joe SaunderS“Hearn said.
Saunders made millions for his fight against Canelo, so he’s not harmed for the money. If he returns to the ring, he could increase his wealth in battles against Ryder and Eubank Jr.
Billy Joe’s fitness has been an issue in some of his games, and you have to wonder if that’s something he can change.
To be sure, Billy Joe battled Canelo to a stalemate until he let off steam in the sixth inning, and he could have won if he hadn’t gotten tired.
