Billy joe saunders's shape

[Josh1111]

It is when said boxer hasn't been seen with one for the duration of his career.

BJS always looked "soft" at MW to me and I always felt he would be better suited to LMW. Nice to see he's in really good nick for this. Roll on next week!

Maybe he's over trained? Why changed whats worked for so long? Just playing devils advocate

[expe]

This is going to come down to whether Jnr has the drive and desire that his dad had. We know how good BJS is already, and that's decent, but not a world beater. Jnr looks to me like he has the tools, but so far we've not seen him pushed. BJ might not be Hagler, but he'll be trying hard to win. I'm expecting to see Jnr outbox him early, BJS to push harder in the middle rounds, and Eubank to get the stoppage around 9.

There's one thing I can't see happening and that's Eubank Jr outboxing Saunders, he just isn't good enough, his footwork, defence and tendency to load up on his punches rule that out IMO. Maybe he could land something, but Saunders' chin looks solid, so I can't see it having much effect. I can't see it coming down to whether Eubank Jr wants it enough, he just isn't good enough, I struggle to see anything other than Saunders going through him, especially in the shape he's in, too good and too quick for Eubank Jr who's domestic level at best.

[jamiedavies02]

The bookies have Saunders best price 10/11 with Eubank Jr best price 6/5, if his name wasn't Eubank there is no way the odds would be so close (for those who don't understand the odds its about 55-45 in favour of BJS) - an undefeated European, Commonwealth and British Champion ranked inside the top 15 by the four major governing bodies against essentially a novice pro who has never fought anybody of note. If you take away the name and concentrate on all known form, BJS is MASSIVELY underrated at 10/11.

How many out there would have Eubank fav against John Ryder?

[Monte Fisto]

Is it just a name, or more genetics?

[manno]

The bookies have Saunders best price 10/11 with Eubank Jr best price 6/5, if his name wasn't Eubank there is no way the odds would be so close (for those who don't understand the odds its about 55-45 in favour of BJS) - an undefeated European, Commonwealth and British Champion ranked inside the top 15 by the four major governing bodies against essentially a novice pro who has never fought anybody of note. If you take away the name and concentrate on all known form, BJS is MASSIVELY underrated at 10/11.

How many out there would have Eubank fav against John Ryder?

John Ryder does a number on Eubanks for me down the stretch

[liamlion]

For the life of me, i just cant see why Team Eubank have took this fight... I cant see anything but an emphatic perfomance from BJS, possibly a late stoppage.

[reggaereggae]

I put £100 on BJS straight at 1.91 and £100 on some accas inc BJS. However I feel I have made a big, big mistake.....

I have just remembered Snr's chat that Jnr could beat GGG and Mayweather, possibly on the same night....

Snr has given us a gift bettors! Bet huge on Jnr!

[digzee]

This is going to come down to whether Jnr has the drive and desire that his dad had. We know how good BJS is already, and that's decent, but not a world beater. Jnr looks to me like he has the tools, but so far we've not seen him pushed. BJ might not be Hagler, but he'll be trying hard to win. I'm expecting to see Jnr outbox him early, BJS to push harder in the middle rounds, and Eubank to get the stoppage around 9.

I don't think we do, I think he's going to show us another level in this fight. Often fighters rise to the occasion when absolutely motivated and BJS has got every reason to be motivated (The belts, the world title shot, unbeaten record and hatred for Eubank). I cant see anything other then a win for BJS.

[lefty]

This is going to come down to whether Jnr has the drive and desire that his dad had. We know how good BJS is already, and that's decent, but not a world beater. Jnr looks to me like he has the tools, but so far we've not seen him pushed. BJ might not be Hagler, but he'll be trying hard to win. I'm expecting to see Jnr outbox him early, BJS to push harder in the middle rounds, and Eubank to get the stoppage around 9.

I don't think we do, I think he's going to show us another level in this fight. Often fighters rise to the occasion when absolutely motivated and BJS has got every reason to be motivated (The belts, the world title shot, unbeaten record and hatred for Eubank). I cant see anything other then a win for BJS.

That could be his downfall though. He could fight on emotion versus using his brain which in turn could lead him into brawling versus boxing which then would probably make it more of a fight in Eubank jnr's favour.

[digzee]

This is going to come down to whether Jnr has the drive and desire that his dad had. We know how good BJS is already, and that's decent, but not a world beater. Jnr looks to me like he has the tools, but so far we've not seen him pushed. BJ might not be Hagler, but he'll be trying hard to win. I'm expecting to see Jnr outbox him early, BJS to push harder in the middle rounds, and Eubank to get the stoppage around 9.

I don't think we do, I think he's going to show us another level in this fight. Often fighters rise to the occasion when absolutely motivated and BJS has got every reason to be motivated (The belts, the world title shot, unbeaten record and hatred for Eubank). I cant see anything other then a win for BJS.

That could be his downfall though. He could fight on emotion versus using his brain which in turn could lead him into brawling versus boxing which then would probably make it more of a fight in Eubank jnr's favour.

He's not been as emotional as say Bellew, he's got the perfect edge from the outside looking in.

[digzee]

Also I think BSJ wins if its fought on the inside, outside it doesn't matter Saunders is levels above in every department.

[jizzle]

Mark my words...There will be a controversial stoppage/intervention by Eubank Snr.

BJS will be streets ahead of Jnr and Senior will intervene when it is clear that BJS will win...

But the intervention will be nowhere near a KO or stoppage...Just in between a round when Snr says 'we're done'

[Loftgroov]

I don’t recall many giving Eubank Snr much chance in the first fight against Nigel Benn either. I remember Benn in that interview when they signed the contracts “ooze he fought, ooze he fought? Some Pedro, Lopez, Gomez…”

Accepting BJS has the better pedigree and record to date, I just have a gut feeling Eubank Jnr will stop him late on.

[DazDiCanio]

Doesn't matter to me what BJS has done compared to Jnr, what matters is who is the better boxer, not who's fought the better boxers.

BJS is real quality, classy and slick. I haven't seen anything in these Jnr sparring vids that suggest he is better than BJS.

Billy Joe by shut out.

[tobyh5]

I don’t recall many giving Eubank Snr much chance in the first fight against Nigel Benn either. I remember Benn in that interview when they signed the contracts “ooze he fought, ooze he fought? Some Pedro, Lopez, Gomez…”

Accepting BJS has the better pedigree and record to date, I just have a gut feeling Eubank Jnr will stop him late on.

One of my best predictions through no skill at all but pure youthful uneducated logic

I saw the interview on ITV, Midweek Sport Special I think it was and when they signed the contracts and I said to my mate who was a boxing nut like me that I thought Eubank would win and why did I think that? His head size and chin. I said his head looked huge and it looked like you could hit him with a sledgehammer and he would not move. That was it! I just had an instinct and went with it. £2 each on the 7th, 8th and 9th at 33/1. I jumped up and by mistake smashed a light in our front room when Steele stopped it with seconds of my bet left. My old man charged me £30 for a new lamp then glued the old one back together!!

My other great predication back then, Douglas to KO Tyson in the 8th - 10th.

Since then, i have not got any right lol

[MightyWarrior]

Re above, a few of us fancied Eubank Sr over Benn, because off the radar, Chris had already proved he had the chin to deal with a big puncher. He'd easily handled Anthony Logan, a puncher who had almost knocked Benn out in a sensational fight at the Albert Hall - and Michael Watson had shown that Benn struggled against someone who could take his shots and hit back...

But I think Eubank Jr is going to get schooled by BJS - we saw what a big puncher Spike O'Sullivan is at the weekend, and BJS took his best shots without blinking, and showed real class in outboxing him - he's going to give Eubank Jr a beating I think

[Josh1111]

I personally had Ryder edging the BJS fight. BJS is a level above but people have to step up at some point. And now i think Eubank is about to step up and win by decision

[black panther]

Re above, a few of us fancied Eubank Sr over Benn, because off the radar, Chris had already proved he had the chin to deal with a big puncher. He'd easily handled Anthony Logan, a puncher who had almost knocked Benn out in a sensational fight at the Albert Hall - and Michael Watson had shown that Benn struggled against someone who could take his shots and hit back...

But I think Eubank Jr is going to get schooled by BJS - we saw what a big puncher Spike O'Sullivan is at the weekend, and BJS took his best shots without blinking, and showed real class in outboxing him - he's going to give Eubank Jr a beating I think

I predicted the opposite initially; probably swayed by the Eubank hype train. Also part of me wants Eubank Jr to win as he's good for the game IMO. Brings a bit of razzle-dazzle and entertainment albeit mostly because of his father. God knows boxing needs more publicity. But thinking with purely my head not heart, it's hard to see past BJS giving him a good hiding. I also think we've yet to see the best of BJS. As an amateur he was absolute class and when he turned pro I thought he'd do big things. He's underperformed so far in his career but I have as feeling he might turn in a career best performance next week.

[Mimmy]

Stop the press! 'a boxer is taking training seriously!'

[craigjenkins05]

He looks tiny in that photo. More like a welter than a middleweight.

Was thinking the same sure when he turned pro the plan was for him to fight at welter can see him weighing a few pounds under the middleweight limit

[fizzjambo]

Re above, a few of us fancied Eubank Sr over Benn, because off the radar, Chris had already proved he had the chin to deal with a big puncher. He'd easily handled Anthony Logan, a puncher who had almost knocked Benn out in a sensational fight at the Albert Hall - and Michael Watson had shown that Benn struggled against someone who could take his shots and hit back...

But I think Eubank Jr is going to get schooled by BJS - we saw what a big puncher Spike O'Sullivan is at the weekend, and BJS took his best shots without blinking, and showed real class in outboxing him - he's going to give Eubank Jr a beating I think

My gut is something like the above. Since this fight was made it's reminded me of Calzaghe v Lacy, albeit at British/European level rather than world. Lacy's stoppages, impressive body type and huge hype made him seem much more than he was when you looked at who he'd actually beaten and at what stage of his opposition's careers he'd beaten them. Calzaghe was the opposite, huge early hype based on a superb amateur career and steady ascension to world champion had waned due to a number of average performances (although all still wins), hand trouble doubtless contributing to this and the thought that he'd reached his level (he also had an unremarkable, for a elite sportsman, build). Looking at their records now shows what a crossroads fight it was for both men, I think that is true for this fight as well