Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has provided fans with an update on the future of former two-division world champion, Billy Joe Saunders, after a long absence from the sport.
Saunders once held the WBO world belt in both middle and super middle weight classes, but suffered defeat for the first time in his professional career in May 2021.
The 33-year-old lost to heavyweight superstar Canelo Alvarez, withdrew in the corner after eight innings. After the war, it was revealed that Saunders suffered an orbital fracture due to a brutal backlashan injury that we have seen other British boxers suffer from.
Kell Brook broke a bone along with Gennady Golovkin and then broke it again against Errol Spence Jr.
Saunders’ injury left his right eye blind and required surgery – he’s now been out of the ring for over eighteen months.
In 2022, images of Saunders gaining weight circulating online caused fans to fear that his career might be over. However, his coach, Ben Davison, revealed in November that Saunders is back in training and he has lost a lot of weight.
In an interview with Boxing Social, Eddie Hearn confirmed that Saunders is looking to fight and is contemplating a massive rematch with Chris Eubank Jr, whom he beat to win the British title in 2014.
“He texted me the other day, I really had to get back to him today. I think he’s trying to fight, with Billy, that’s just the plan. I’m sure he’s talking to various people at the moment, he knows [Chris] Eubank [Jnr] the fight is a big one, but he will want the right amount. I don’t know if he thought of a fight first and then a big fight or just rushed in, but I believe he’s back in training.”
Chris Eubank Jr against Liam Smith at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday night, top a stacked card. The event will be available to buy on Sky Sports PPV for £19.95with detours for the main event taking place around 10pm.
