Trainer Ben Davison has spoken out on the impact Chris Eubank Jr’s loss to Liam Smith has had on a potential comeback for Billy Joe Saunders.
Former two weight world champion Saunders hasn’t boxed since getting stopped by Canelo Alvarez in May 2021, though is back training amid rumours of a return to the ring later this year.
However, Davison told SecondsOut that Eubank Jr, a potential opponent for Saunders, tasting defeat may have put a slight spanner in the works.
“Being realistic, I think the fight that made sense for Billy Joe in a comeback was the Chris Eubank Jr fight. So what happened a couple of weeks ago wasn’t ideal.”
“I think there’ll have to be a little bit of reassessing. But whether he does or he doesn’t, that’s entirely up to him and I’ll support him no matter what he does.”
Eubank Jr was knocked out for the first time in his professional career last month at the Manchester Arena, with Smith overturning the bookmakers’ odds to send the Manchester Arena into meltdown.
Saunders and ‘Next Gen’ locked horns for the British middleweight title all the way back in 2014, and have remained on frosty terms with each other since.
‘BJS’ got the better of Eubank that night with a textbook display of slick boxing, and talk of a big money grudge rematch between the pair has constantly came up through the years.
Other prospective comeback opponents for Saunders are said to include the likes of Callum Smith and brother Liam, although it is highly likely the Hatfield southpaw will have at least one tune up fight after almost two years out of action.