Billy Joe Saunders has spoken about his experience facing Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and how that has given him confidence ahead of his return to the ring.
Saunders lost his super middleweight WBO title to Canelo two years ago when the fight was waived off between the eighth and ninth rounds whilst the Brit was still on his stool.
Saunders had some promising moments in the fight but a looping right uppercut from Canelo landed clean on his right eye and proved to be the turning point. The Hatfield fighter’s eye began to swell immediately and when he told his corner he couldn’t see they wouldn’t let him out for the ninth round.
The decision most likely saved Saunders for another day, as his eye socket was broken in three places and required immediate surgery.
The former champion hasn’t been in the ring since that defeat, but is now preparing to make his comeback.
Speaking to iFL TV, Saunders has taken confidence from being in the ring against the pound-for-pound star, clearly feeling he wasn’t being outclassed.
“Listen, Canelo is a great fighter, he’s one of the best I’ve been in the ring with, but being in there, I’ve got more confidence after that fight because I was thinking ‘is this it?’ sort of thing. I think you’ve got the best of me to come yet.”
Saunders confirmed he’s looking to return this year and admitted it’s hard to find anything to replace the buzz of boxing.
“It’s very hard to replace boxing, I see why these fighters come back after 5 or 6 years out but I can see why now. There’s no rush to get back but I’ll be back this year.”
Canelo’s last outing saw him beat yet another British fighter in John Ryder. After busting the noise of Ryder in the second round most expected the undisputed champion to get his man out of there, but although dominating the fight, it went to the judges scorecards for a wide points decision.
Some fans and pundits believe the Mexican star is on the decline, with his best years behind him.