Billy Joe Saunders’ friend and trainer Ben Davison has provided an update on a potential return to the ring for the former two-weight world champion.
Saunders has not boxed his stoppage defeat to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez back in 2021, and many wondered after that loss if fight fans had perhaps seen him compete for the last time.
However, he has been teasing a comeback for the majority of this year and has been slowly getting himself back towards fighting shape.
And in a recent interview with Boxing News, Davison confirmed Saunders has managed to get himself close to ready for the end of this year, and will ultimately look to return to super middleweight.
“It’s always been on his mind. I think the time away from the sport has made him realise he misses it and loves it. I think he feels like if it’s not before the end of this year, it’s probably not going to happen.”
“So he’s put his foot on the pedal, trying to work off some of the weight he’s put on his semi retirement. So he”s working away, step by step.”
“He does boxing for the love of it. He actually misses the sport and it’s looking like he is committed to a comeback.”
“I think the goal will be to get down to 168, for sure. But for his first fight, let’s see. His weight has come down a fair bit, he just needs to stay consistent to get it down to where we would all like it to be.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed his desire to stage a rematch between Saunders and old foe John Ryder, who he narrowly defeated when they met for the British middleweight title all the way back in 2013.