Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders - May 8, 2021

[NateJR]

I hope this fight happens, I'm a fan of both of these guys. I still stick to my original prediction and that is Alvarez by late stoppage. BJS fades too much in the later rounds for a guy like Alvarez. I think BJS makes a good account for himself early, but tries to do too much, fades late and gets stopped.

[thomasjkelley]

Canelo's Cinco de May bout of 2019 against Danny Jacobs was announced on January 17th.

His 2020 Cinco de Mayo fight was only announced today, which is six weeks late.

Billy Joe Saunders has much less than eight weeks to be ready for his opportunity of a lifetime against Canelo, because some of that time will inevitably be consumed by trying to sell the fight via interviews and press conferences.

Short notice?

Yeah, probably, but BJS was well aware that he was the lead prospect for this May 2nd matchup & there was never any doubt that the fight would be on the 2nd, so he should have no excuses.

[Enlightened-One]

Yeah, probably, but BJS was well aware that he was the lead prospect for this May 2nd matchup & there was never any doubt that the fight would be on the 2nd, so he should have no excuses.

With the fight being pushed back until June, Saunders shouldn't have any excuses being fully-prepared for the Canelo fight... unless social distancing measures to tackle the cornona virus result in gyms' being closed.

[apollo creed]

Yeah, probably, but BJS was well aware that he was the lead prospect for this May 2nd matchup & there was never any doubt that the fight would be on the 2nd, so he should have no excuses.

With the fight being pushed back until June, Saunders shouldn't have any excuses being fully-prepared for the Canelo fight... unless social distancing measures to tackle the cornona virus result in gyms' being closed.

Yup. Saunders will have plenty of time to be ready with no excuses about the period of preparation, excepting an injury or the corona virus. The only big concern is that this pandemic virus could go pretty wrong and everything could be locked down for an undetermined period of time.

[Enlightened-One]

With the fight being pushed back until June, Saunders shouldn't have any excuses being fully-prepared for the Canelo fight... unless social distancing measures to tackle the cornona virus result in gyms' being closed.

Yup. Saunders will have plenty of time to be ready with no excuses about the period of preparation, excepting an injury or the corona virus. The only big concern is that this pandemic virus could go pretty wrong and everything could be locked down for an undetermined period of time.

Personally-speaking, I feel that June is too early to reschedule this fight. I think it’s far too optimistic.

[Thomastearns]

Yup. Saunders will have plenty of time to be ready with no excuses about the period of preparation, excepting an injury or the corona virus. The only big concern is that this pandemic virus could go pretty wrong and everything could be locked down for an undetermined period of time.

Personally-speaking, I feel that June is too early to reschedule this fight. I think it’s far too optimistic.

Until it's confirmed that China has truly got on top of this virus we have no real idea when things can return to normal.

The sheer disruption is downright annoying but the important thing is to get yourself and all your loved ones safely through this.

Thankfully there's sites where you can rewatch recent matchups in decent playback quality such as Sky Sports Boxing.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_JQGB ... kRxd7xpJcA

[margaret thatcher]

All a hoax by the USA Democrats to try to bring down Trump and the Republicans

[GPTM1403]

I think anyone with any sense knows the chances of BJS getting a decision regardless of the actual fight are a big fat zero. The chances of him managing to stop Alvarez are very low. The chances of him being allowed to stop him are lower - let's be honest here, there'd be reasons for slowing things down, short rounds etc. I suspect he fancies his chances but realistically he's going to have to win by a mile to get a draw. I'm still interested to see how it goes though because if there's a case for him being robbed it'd raise his profile.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hearn stated a deal is in place for this fight, just depending on the coronavirus now.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hearn explained the situation in an interview with Sky Sports.

“It leaves Billy Joe at the minute with a deal in place to fight Canelo,” Hearn said. “Everything now depends on when the sport begins, because that fight was supposed to take place on Cinco de Mayo [weekend]. Now we know that’s definitely not happening.

“Will boxing return in June, July? If it does, there’s every chance that Billy Joe Saunders will fight Canelo Alvarez in that period, and the date of the Golovkin fight will be put back. I think with the whole disruption, the old Cinco de Mayo and [Mexican Independence Day] will weekend have to take a back seat.”

Alvarez and Saunders already were training for their fight in San Diego and Las Vegas, respectively, when their promoters, Oscar De La Hoya and Hearn, determined their fight could not take place May 2.

“Right now, Billy Joe Saunders is actually in Vegas, training,” Hearn said. “We were supposed to have a press conference on Monday, to announce the Canelo Alvarez fight. He’s out training with Ben Davison and Josh Taylor, who has just had his fight postponed for May 2 as well. No one knows what they’re doing.

“It’s the moment where you’ve got to stay focused, you’ve got to stay disciplined. I believe Billy Joe Saunders will fight Canelo Alvarez, as long as the boxing schedule returns this summer.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

As long as Canelo comes out injury free against Avni, this fight will go ahead on May. Either 1st or 8th.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Gigantic new $2billion ‘Death Star’ stadium could host Canelo Alvarez vs Billy Joe Saunders in May

Canelo Alvarez vs Billy Joe Saunders reportedly could take place at the new Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The WBA, WBC and WBO super-middleweight world title unification is now agreed to take place on May 1 or May 8, providing Canelo comes through his next fight against Avni Yildirim unscathed on February 27.

The next step is to solidify the date and confirm a venue.

Promoter Eddie Hearn and Canelo’s manager Eddy Reynoso are organising the fight together.

According to ESPN Mexico, their first choice would be the new Allegiant Stadium which opened last year for the Las Vegas Raiders NFL team.

This gigantic ultra-modern structure stands out in the Nevada desert, with Vegas’ other landmarks made to look small in comparison.

Sin City has never had a mega stadium before and is used to hosting big fights in its famous indoor arenas.

However, the MGM Grand and T-Mobile Arena only have capacities of around 17,000 and 20,000 respectively.

The Allegiant Stadium can host upward of 60,000.

In today’s times of social distancing and restricted crowds, the Allegiant Stadium may be able to house between 10,000-20,000 people – a number the indoor arenas simply cannot match at present.

The stadium itself cost $1.975billion to build and ran $175million over the initial £1.8billion budget.

It has garnered the nickname ‘The Death Star’ because of the futuristic outer appearance.

On the inside, facilities are top notch and will hopefully host full capacity crowds in the not-too-distant future.

[golden_labrador]

this'll be worth getting up for at least. can't see BJS winning, but he'll present more of a challenge than the last few victims

[gregregegg]

Geeze i hope billy jo is light and mobile. that version of BJS is a tough night for anyone. Heavy billy works at lower levles where he can sit down on his shots, but lets face it, him hurting canelo is a monsterous longshot and if he trys to hit hard he is going to get countered., so why be heavy.

[Enlightened-One]

Canelo was supposed to face Billy Joe Saunders towards the end of 2016 or early 2017.

Billy Joe signed contracts and Queensberry had a contract in place with GBP, but De La Hoya reneged on the deal.

At that moment in time, I would have favoured the Brit to beat Canelo, but the Mexican has improved enormously since then.

So I have to currently favour Canelo to beat Saunders by decision.

[Evander]

BJS will do his usual boring tap run tap run tap run we have seen throughout literally his entire boxing career.
Canelo only needs to grace the event with his presence to win doesn't he and even if he miraculously lost who on earth would want to part with a single red cent to watch a BJS fight in a rematch is beyond me.
Boring match up with an almost guaranteed winner before the first bell is rung.
Does anyone really care, I know I don't.
If these boxers want to make a bit of noise then take some challenging risky exciting fights and don't bore us with this garbage.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Canelo was supposed to face Billy Joe Saunders towards the end of 2016 or early 2017.

Billy Joe signed contracts and Queensberry had a contract in place with GBP, but De La Hoya reneged on the deal.

At that moment in time, I would have favoured the Brit to beat Canelo, but the Mexican has improved enormously since then.

So I have to currently favour Canelo to beat Saunders by decision.

So Canelo ducked BJS as well?

[lazboy]

As good as BJS is defensively, his offence is lacking. I also don’t think his body type can take big punishment, so I’ll go ahead and predict a Canelo kO victory rd 9 2 mins 37 seconds.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yeh, this is actually Canelo’s biggest fight. He’s fighting an all rounder.

[Enlightened-One]

Canelo was supposed to face Billy Joe Saunders towards the end of 2016 or early 2017.

Billy Joe signed contracts and Queensberry had a contract in place with GBP, but De La Hoya reneged on the deal.

At that moment in time, I would have favoured the Brit to beat Canelo, but the Mexican has improved enormously since then.

So I have to currently favour Canelo to beat Saunders by decision.

So Canelo ducked BJS as well?

If Canelo was in complete control of his own destiny during 2016 & 2017, then I would criticise him for his team’s handling of the Saunders debacle, but he wasn’t, since GBP was orchestrating his fights.

GBP reneged on a deal with Queensberry promotions in 2016.

And in 2017, GBP lobbied the WBO to instate Canelo as the mandatory challenger to Billy Joe Saunders’ world title, which was immediately granted (December 22nd 2016), but three weeks later (January 13th 2017) they announced the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight instead.

You’ve probably posted articles about both of these situations.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Canelo was supposed to face Billy Joe Saunders towards the end of 2016 or early 2017.

Billy Joe signed contracts and Queensberry had a contract in place with GBP, but De La Hoya reneged on the deal.

At that moment in time, I would have favoured the Brit to beat Canelo, but the Mexican has improved enormously since then.

So I have to currently favour Canelo to beat Saunders by decision.

So Canelo ducked BJS as well?

If Canelo was in complete control of his own destiny during 2016 & 2017, then I would criticise him for his team’s handling of the Saunders debacle, but he wasn’t, since GBP was orchestrating his fights.

GBP reneged on a deal with Queensberry promotions in 2016.

And in 2017, GBP lobbied the WBO to instate Canelo as the mandatory challenger to Billy Joe Saunders’ world title, which was immediately granted (December 22nd 2016), but three weeks later (January 13th 2017) they announced the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight instead.

You’ve probably posted articles about both of these situations.

So why let him fight giuys like Lara, but not BJS?

Doesn't really make sense does it? I don't think Canelo has never not been in control.

[Enlightened-One]

So Canelo ducked BJS as well?

If Canelo was in complete control of his own destiny during 2016 & 2017, then I would criticise him for his team’s handling of the Saunders debacle, but he wasn’t, since GBP was orchestrating his fights.

GBP reneged on a deal with Queensberry promotions in 2016.

And in 2017, GBP lobbied the WBO to instate Canelo as the mandatory challenger to Billy Joe Saunders’ world title, which was immediately granted (December 22nd 2016), but three weeks later (January 13th 2017) they announced the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight instead.

You’ve probably posted articles about both of these situations.

So why let him fight giuys like Lara, but not BJS?

Doesn't really make sense does it? I don't think Canelo has never not been in control.

Canelo’s relationship with GBP very publicly soured immediately after he was stripped of his IBF title due to De La Hoya’s failure to make the Derevyanchenko bout.

To be fair, I mostly blame Derevyanchenko for that situation, because he wanted $7m and refused to accept GBP’s $5.5m purse.

The lawsuit documents suggest GBP were withholding information from Canelo and also entering legal agreements with third-parties, without communicating the terms to Alvarez.

So I can’t see how any fighter can possibly be deemed in control over their own careers in that situation.

And GBP wouldn’t have released Canelo from his contract if they weren’t legally liable for any of their dodgy shenanigans.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hearn: Saunders To Get Less For This Canelo Fight, But Not Great Deal Of Difference

Eddie Hearn emphasized that the deal isn’t quite done for a Canelo Alvarez-Billy Joe Saunders fight.

Alvarez’s promoter admitted, though, that they’re “very close to finalizing” contracts for Alvarez and Saunders to meet May 1 or May 8 at a venue to be determined. Hearn also acknowledged that Saunders will be paid a lower purse for facing the Mexican superstar in three months than Saunders would’ve earned had he squared off against Alvarez last May 2.

“Not a great deal of difference,” Hearn said regarding Saunders’ purse in an interview with IFL TV posted to its YouTube page Friday. “It is less. I mean, you know, it’s less for everybody, to be honest with you. But again, you know, we’ll see what happens crowd-wise as well.”

The initial Alvarez-Saunders fight for the British southpaw’s WBO super middleweight title was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Hearn is confident they’ll finally fight this May if Alvarez beats mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim on February 27 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

“Not signed,” Hearn said in reference to contracts for an Alvarez-Saunders bout. “So, you know, we’re just working on a few things. But it’s true that that is the plan. I mean, right now we have a, Matchroom have a two-fight deal with Canelo Alvarez. Obviously, the plan is to try and make the second fight Billy Joe Saunders. That’s the reason he’s gone with us. We have a one-fight deal at the moment with DAZN, which is Avni Yildirim. And we’re working on tying up the second fight of that two-fight deal with Matchroom. So, that will be hopefully Billy Joe Saunders.

“Canelo and [trainer] Eddy Reynoso are just completely focused on Avni Yildirim in Miami on February 27th. And we’ll be working behind the scenes to tie everything up with Billy Joe Saunders, make sure he’s a hundred-percent happy. And then, hopefully, we’ll be in a position maybe even for Billy to go out for that fight and, you know, announce very close to that fight. I don’t see any reason to announce that fight before the Avni Yildirim fight, because until he wins or comes through unscathed, then that fight is not happening with Billy Joe Saunders.”

If the heavily favored Alvarez (54-1-2, 36 KOs) defeats Turkey’s Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs), the four-division champion would have an opportunity to add a third 168-pound title to his collection when he opposes Saunders (30-0, 14 KOs). The 30-year-old Alvarez won the WBA “super” and WBC super middleweight crowns when he defeated England’s Callum Smith (27-1, 18 KOs) by unanimous decision December 19 at Alamodome in San Antonio.

[apollo creed]

Cunning BJS was protecting his strap/s and his "o" till he got or he may get the fight with Canelo. lol Tbh a guy like BJS who was fighting low-par opposition and had layoffs has good chances to get stopped by Canelo if they will fight. Beside Andy Lee and Lemieux which were good wins, BJS just cruised through low calibre opponents like Akavov, already TKO'ed Monroe Jr, Adamu, Isufi, Coceres and washed up Murray, to stay safe and wait for a big money fight.

This smw era is a weak one. Probably if somehow Charlo would fight Benavidez then the winner of that fight would be a solid 168 lbs opponent for Canelo.

As for Canelo, he was was in control of his career even when he was with Oscar. Canelo fought whoever he wanted like Lara, Trout, FMJ, Kirkland, Cotto, Khan, Smith, JCCJr and then GGG. Now Canelo with his big boxing profile just took FMJ's "own boss" route.