Billy Joe Saunders has achieved world titles in both the middleweight and super-middleweight ranks – and he could be eyeing up a third division for his tally.
The 33-year-old southpaw has been out of the ring since a defeat to Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez in May of 2021. He sustained multiple fractures to his eye socket courtesy of the elite Mexican.
Now, two years on, Saunders has made it clear that he wants to get back to boxing. He’s currently in light training and in early discussions with potential opponents.
The motivation behind it is clear – to become a three-time world champion.
Whilst he fancies Demetrius Andrade at super middleweight and has also been open to a rematch with Chris Eubank Jr or a fight with Liam Smith, ‘BJS’ has opened it up for light heavyweights to set him a challenge.
“Mowing down these calories. Mowing down day by day. I’m gonna come back, and you can hear it first – one time world champion, two time world champion, three time world champion.
Maybe go up to light heavy, see who’s there at light heavy available.”
There are plenty on the domestic scene who would gladly welcome Saunders to the 175lbs ranks, with the division going through an exciting period on British shores.
Should he indeed be looking towards becoming a three-time, three-weight champion, he must see either Dmitry Bivol or Artut Beterbiev – the two men who currently control all of the belts between them.
If he decides to get return to what he knows at 168lbs, it’s still Canelo who’s the man to beat.
Saunders did go on to say he was considering starting an OnlyFans page, which may leave some fans feeling he wasn’t being completely serious about the light-heavyweight campaign.
Regardless, a ring return looks nailed on for the 30-1 fighter, with late 2023 or early 2024 looking most likely.