Q & A with Billy Joe Saunders

[El Raincoat]

Q & A with Billy Joe Saunders

A new wave of talent that is coming through on the British scene & one of the top emerging talents is Billy Joe Saunders 3-0(3). It’s still early days for the 19 year old who debuted back in February having competed at last Summers Olympics, even though he didn’t bring back a medal many experts believe he has the best style & will be the most successful of his Olympic team mates. As an amateur Saunders competed at Welterweight where he lost to eventual silver medallist Carlos Banteaux, though he holds a win of Banteaux in a previous tournament. He signed pro forms in December 2008 along with James Degale & Frankie Gavin to fight for allegedly.


Hello Billy Joe, welcome to 15 rounds. com

Anson Wainwright - You won on the Kotelnik-Khan card and moved your record to 3-0(3) though its early days do you know when you maybe back in action?

Billy Joe Saunders - Hopefully I will be fighting again in October.

Anson Wainwright - How have you found the pro’s since coming over from the amateur’s?

Billy Joe Saunders - I am enjoying it, it’s a real challenge and I’m learning all the time.

Anson Wainwright - Can you tell us a little bit about the team behind you your manager, trainer etc?

Billy Joe Saunders - I am promoted by allegedly who over the years has proved himself to be the leading promoter in this country. I think that the best decision I made when turning professional was appointing Jimmy Tibbs as my trainer. He is very experienced and I am learning new things all the time. Jimmy’s son, Mark, is my strength conditioner and thanks to him I feel I am getting fitter and stronger each time I fight.

Anson Wainwright - You fought at last years Olympics what can you tell us about that experience?

Billy Joe Saunders - It was an incredible experience and a true honour to represent my country.

Anson Wainwright - You don’t turn 20 until 30 August, what made you decide to go pro as opposed to trying for this years world championships or even the 2012 Olympics in London?

Billy Joe Saunders - I felt that I had reached the top as an amateur and it is now my goal to reach the top as a professional.

Anson Wainwright - You had a stellar amateur career, can you tell us about what titles you won and what your final amateur record was?

Billy Joe Saunders - 3 school boy titles, 3 junior ABA titles, 3 NABC titles, 4 4 Nations. I won the round robin tournament for England and was a junior European gold medal winner. I had 86 amateur fights, winning 80 of them.

Anson Wainwright – You’re nicknamed “The Caravan Kid” what can you tell us about your travellers background for those who may not be familiar with it?

Billy Joe Saunders - Whilst it is a tough upbringing, it teaches you from an early age about loyalty and respect.

Anson Wainwright - Your father & great Grand father were involved in Bare-knuckle boxing, is that how you got in Boxing?

Billy Joe Saunders - No, my dad was an amateur boxer and one day my brother and I found some of his trophies in the shed. We were both curious and as my brother was getting bullied at the time, we both joined Cheshunt Amateur Boxing Club. I have never looked back since.

Anson Wainwright - What do you enjoy doing away from Boxing?

Billy Joe Saunders - I enjoy horse driving and spending time with my family.

Anson Wainwright - Who were your favourite fighters growing up?

Billy Joe Saunders - Lennox Lewis and Naseem Hamed.

Anson Wainwright - What are your goals in Boxing?

Billy Joe Saunders - To become a world champion and continue this country’s great tradition of developing world champion boxers.

Anson Wainwright - Do you think a super fight down the road with Amir Khan is possible?

Billy Joe Saunders - Unlikely as we fight at completely different weights. I would like to take this opportunity of congratulating Amir on becoming world champion.

Anson Wainwright - Finally do you have a message for your fans and people are the world who haven’t seen you fight as yet?

Billy Joe Saunders - I would like to thank the fans who have supported me through my career and I hope I continue to entertain them. In respect of those people who haven’t seen me fight yet, I hope that when they do, they too will become fans!

Thanks for your time Billy.

Best Wishes

Anson Wainwright

15 rounds .com

[alexpaterson]

Seems like a top lad I think he'll go far in the pro game he has adapted very quickly into the pro's

[yiddo14]

Best prospect in Britian right now, cracking little fighter.

[caffrey]

i agree,he was very impressive in taking out matt scriven in his last fight,not many fighters stop matt

[15829]

the scriven fight was stopped to soon in my oppinion good prospect but think degale and frankie will go furthest

[martin_g91]

Really is one to watch. I've been there for two of his fights (couldn't get to Belfast). Can't wait till he's out again !

[righthook]

good interview mate 8)

1 thing tho, how come u asked him about a possible fight with amir khan ?

thats the same as asking billy jo, is there any chance of u fighting klitschko in the future

there so far apart in weight.

keep up the interviews.

[Asterix]

You missed a question I was really hoping to know the answer to. Which weight class is Billy Joe going to settle in?

[15829]

You missed a question I was really hoping to know the answer to. Which weight class is Billy Joe going to settle in?

i no was wondering that myself seen him listed as high as supermiddle weight think he sholf fight at light middle weight

[Lenny]

You missed a question I was really hoping to know the answer to. Which weight class is Billy Joe going to settle in?

i no was wondering that myself seen him listed as high as supermiddle weight think he sholf fight at light middle weight

Yeah me too, kinda scanned though the questions to try and find that one :(

[caffrey]

i think he shouldnt go no higher than light middle,will be very hard to beat at 154

[El Raincoat]

You missed a question I was really hoping to know the answer to. Which weight class is Billy Joe going to settle in?

Yeah alpologies about that, i based it on him being a Welter in the amateur's but he's waaaaay out grown that class now. I'd like to see him at 154 when he goes up against better guys.

I like him as a prospect too. I have interviewed David Pryce, Saunders, Gavin & Murray. Of the Brit Olympians.