Two-time WBC super-middleweight champion Anthony Dirrell believes Billy Joe Saunders has the style to beat Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Saunders (30-0, 14 KOs) is a significant underdog with the bookmakers (currently 9/2 with BetFred) ahead of his bout with Canelo (55-1-2, 37 KOs) this weekend, at the AT&T Stadium, Texas. However, ‘The Dog’ is certain that Saunders is all wrong for the Mexican.
Historically, four-weight world champion, Canelo has had his toughest bouts at championship level against elusive targets. In 2013, he suffered the only defeat of his career against Floyd Mayweather in a one-sided bout, despite one of the judges scoring the fight as a draw. The Mexican also picked up two contentious victories against Austin Trout and Erislandy Lara.
The most recent of those bouts was almost seven years ago, but Canelo has not faced a similar style in any of his subsequent fights. While Canelo has undeniably improved as a fighter since, Dirrell is of the opinion that, southpaw, Saunders’ footwork and handspeed could be enough to pull off the upset.
“I think Billy Joe has a hell of a shot,” Dirrell said. “Canelo has a hard time dealing with boxers and obviously, Billy Joe Saunders is a boxer. He can slug when he needs to, but I think Billy Joe Saunders moves very well, but we’ll see with all this ring rust and how long he been out of the ring, how that will take effect. I think he should do a hell of a job.”