Billy Saunders vs Willy Monroe

[hulkmaniac]

I know this is taking place in the UK and there is a UK section. But it might be better to have some less biased thoughts on this fight. To me Saunders hasn't been impressive aside from his win over Eubank Jr. Willy Monroe is quite quick and skilled but doesn't have the power.

How do you see this playing out?

[boxing_rocks]

There is still more than enough time for somebody to get injured.

[KiwiRider]

Saunders last big fight was nearly 2 years ago with a stay busy fight last December.
So Willy has been busier.
Does anyone know Billy's reach?
Monroe has an inch in height and his reach is 74 inches.
I'd love to know others insight on this.
I've seen both guys fight only 3 times each so I'm not going to forward any opinion.

[BitPlayer]

Depends if Saunders is fit. If he comes in like last time he has no chance.

[Enlightened-One]

Billy Joe Saunders has only just joined forces with Dominic Ingle, the same man that trains Kell Brook. And the first thing that Ingle has claimed that he’s working on is Saunders’ discipline, diet and general lifestyle.

The good thing about Dominic Ingle is that he’ll likely get Billy Joe Saunders to peak fitness and force him to lose weight correctly, without draining himself. He has a good proven track-record of achieving this with other fighters.

I’ve always believed that Billy Joe Saunders is a tad too small for a 160lb-er, but his lack of discipline resulted in him struggling to achieve the middleweight limit, despite that division not being his natural habitat. However, the Brit is a fundamentally sound, skilfully gifted, boxer.

Therefore, I am favouring an in-shape version of Billy Joe to score a clear-cut decision victory over Willie Monroe Jr.

I’m not for one second suggesting that Dominic Ingle will transform Billy Joe Saunders into some sort of world-beater, but I do believe that he’ll improve his fitness levels enormously (addressing his main flaw), which will make the Brit a very awkward opponent for any elite-level fighter to overcome.

[diddy]

It's in England so if Saunders can find his way to actually winning 4 rounds he will be safe.

Anywhere but England and this is a true 50-50 fight.

[hulkmaniac]

It's in England so if Saunders can find his way to actually winning 4 rounds he will be safe.

Anywhere but England and this is a true 50-50 fight.

Usually this is the case except a couple months ago when Hassan N'dam got the decision over Murata in Japan.

[Enlightened-One]

It's in England so if Saunders can find his way to actually winning 4 rounds he will be safe.

Anywhere but England and this is a true 50-50 fight.

That’s an unacceptably harsh thing to say about any country, but especially about England, since there are plenty of foreign fighters that have visited British shores and scored decision victories.

[Ossyrules]

EO has nailed this in both his posts

Diddy is clueless who doesn't follow English boxing

[ClivePatrickLyons]

I'm really think Monroe got Billy covered easy dec

[boxing_rocks]

It's in England so if Saunders can find his way to actually winning 4 rounds he will be safe.

Anywhere but England and this is a true 50-50 fight.

That’s an unacceptably harsh thing to say about any country, but especially about England, since there are plenty of foreign fighters that have visited British shores and scored decision victories.

Diddy is absolutely right here. If a Brit wins 4 rounds against a foreigner, he will get a decision 90% of times. That is also true in Germany, U.S., Argentina, ...

[mustlogin]

Will Saunders even make weight? He has been so fat recently.

[Ossyrules]

It's in England so if Saunders can find his way to actually winning 4 rounds he will be safe.

Anywhere but England and this is a true 50-50 fight.

That’s an unacceptably harsh thing to say about any country, but especially about England, since there are plenty of foreign fighters that have visited British shores and scored decision victories.

Diddy is absolutely right here. If a Brit wins 4 rounds against a foreigner, he will get a decision 90% of times. That is also true in Germany, U.S., Argentina, ...

So say home advantage could be key, instead of trying to make out england has a safe hold on bad decisions

[3132DW]

Will Saunders even make weight? He has been so fat recently.

He will - but all the inactivity and going up and down on weight will take its toll eventually on him.

[northern]

This is Monroe's first chance at a world title since he fought Golovkin back in 2015, he'll be looking to do better then he did then and Saunders I doubt hits anywhere near as hard as Golovkin does.

Monroe has a couple of impressive wins for the WBA-NABA & WBO-NABO titles over Brian Vera and Brandon Adams and his comeback win over John Thompson and Gabriel Rosado last year must be helping his confidence going into a world title fight.
But in terms of experience in 12 round fights, you have to give the edge to Saunders.
This is his second defence of the WBO title that he won back in 2015 but before that he had been in nine 12 round fights over other belts such as the commonwealth, British, European and WBO international titles. His ability to perform in champion fights is there that goes without a doubt.

On paper Saunders is the favourite but that doesn't mean Monroe should be counted out, he's stayed more active then Saunders and from what has been seen of the WBO champion in training it looks like he has the excess weight to lose prior to the fight so who knows how that could effect him.
Plus there is the mental edge, Monroe has been in with arguably the hardest puncher in the division while Saunders seems to be overly aggressive outside of the ring lately, maybe he's feeling less confident but who knows really before fight night comes.

Saunders is the favourite and I'll be backing him in the fight but Monroe is a good challenger without a doubt.

[diddy]

BJS is only a -240 favorite in his backyard. If thats not an indictment on his ability I dont know what is.

[cuban glass]

Saunders has great skills and speed,as long as he's back to his best he will school that great black hope bum, black american middleweights have been terrible for years

[tiny_acres]

Saunders has great skills and speed,as long as he's back to his best he will school that great black hope bum, black american middleweights have been terrible for years

Is there any reason to mention the color of the man's skin?
His color does not make him better or worse of a fighter or a man

[Mexi-Box]

Saunders has great skills and speed,as long as he's back to his best he will school that great black hope bum, black american middleweights have been terrible for years

Is there any reason to mention the color of the man's skin?
His color does not make him better or worse of a fighter or a man

Can people not make an observation anymore. FFS, do you need a trigger warning?

[tiny_acres]

Saunders has great skills and speed,as long as he's back to his best he will school that great black hope bum, black american middleweights have been terrible for years

Is there any reason to mention the color of the man's skin?
His color does not make him better or worse of a fighter or a man

Can people not make an observation anymore. FFS, do you need a trigger warning?

The majority of his posts only point to the color of a man's skin. This is boxing color has nothing to do with it.

[Mexi-Box]

Is there any reason to mention the color of the man's skin?
His color does not make him better or worse of a fighter or a man

Can people not make an observation anymore. FFS, do you need a trigger warning?

The majority of his posts only point to the color of a man's skin. This is boxing color has nothing to do with it.

If I say Mexicans aren't doing good at cruiserweight, would you need a trigger warning as well?

[tiny_acres]

Can people not make an observation anymore. FFS, do you need a trigger warning?

The majority of his posts only point to the color of a man's skin. This is boxing color has nothing to do with it.

If I say Mexicans aren't doing good at cruiserweight, would you need a trigger warning as well?

I stated my opinion about race not being needed to be brought up.
It was my opinion and I stick to it.
Have a good day

[gilgamesh]

I don't think much of Saunders, but I think he's good enough to legitimately beat Willy Monroe. I expect it will be a competitive fight, but Saunders will legitimately deserve the decision in his favor.

[SenorPipino]

I would love to jump all over slick Willie as a -250 underdog. Saunders is hardly special.

But Monroe has no power and it's unlikely he'll get a fair shake from the judges when he crosses the pond.

Look for Monroe to obviously outbox Saunders 8-4, but lose a split decision.