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

[Lairdy]

Stylistically, BJS will cause Canelo more problems than any other fighter at SMW. He may not have the heaviest hands, but he's very hard to hit, and very slick.

[margaret thatcher]

Canelo's levels above and will win pretty easily


bjs hasnt been that good at smw, rocked by that random albanian guy and pushed very close by the argie. even on his game bjs just isnt at canelos level, canelo not only has the power and strength, he's got excellent hand speed , timing, and d too, along with the experience of taking on such a wide range of opponents and styles

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hearn had the poster ready didn’t he..

[apollo creed]

Canelo's levels above and will win pretty easily


bjs hasnt been that good at smw, rocked by that random albanian guy and pushed very close by the argie. even on his game bjs just isnt at canelos level, canelo not only has the power and strength, he's got excellent hand speed , timing, and d too, along with the experience of taking on such a wide range of opponents and styles

True. Bjs is just a belt holder at smw. He had a few decent wins back in the day at mw like Eubank Jr, Lee and Lemieux but since then he looked averege at smw fighting guys like Adamu, Isufi for the vacant wbo 168lbs belt, Coceres and a washed up old version of Murray.

But I got to say that bjs is a smart cat. He was just playing safe this "game" till he got the opportunity of his life. Now I hope that this fight physical happens and BJS doesn't pull out an ol' good postponement or something like that.

I think Canelo would T/KO Saunders and I hope he does that. BJS had some layoffs and he fought some stiffs. Nothing to suggest that bjs has improved or that he's a hard working and dedicated fighter.

[lazboy]

Stylistically, BJS will cause Canelo more problems than any other fighter at SMW. He may not have the heaviest hands, but he's very hard to hit, and very slick.

Agree he is hard to hit but BJS doesn’t have the punch output and/or stamina to keep Canelo away. Eventually Canelo will close the gap and land. Not saying you’re wrong though...tricky style but I see Canelo eventually landing and hurting him.

[bigjack]

Canelo's levels above and will win pretty easily


bjs hasnt been that good at smw, rocked by that random albanian guy and pushed very close by the argie. even on his game bjs just isnt at canelos level, canelo not only has the power and strength, he's got excellent hand speed , timing, and d too, along with the experience of taking on such a wide range of opponents and styles

Exactly,Canelo doesn't just plough forward with no plan,he's clever,powerful,difficult to catch clean and has great stamina,just an all round much better fighter and once Saunders slows down he's going to have nowhere to hide.

[watsupdoc87]

Canelo will flatten him. Gonna beat him like a child. A few bouts have flattered bjs. He won't be able stay away from Canelo sms will get broken down. Should be fun to watch

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

DAZN Press Release

The WBA (Super), WBC, WBO and The Ring titles are set to be unified at super-middleweight...

The next step of Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez's master plan at 168lbs in 2021 has been made official.

Very shortly after Alvarez required just three rounds to break the spirit of mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim in Miami, his next bout was confirmed as being against current undefeated WBO super-middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders on May 8.

The venue for the fight will be announced in due course, per Matchroom Boxing, who promote Saunders and have a working agreement in place with Canelo Promotions. The fight will, however, be available globally on DAZN with the exception of Mexico.

“We want to unify the division, he’s a world champion, we want to go for it and we need to go for it,” said Canelo. “He’s a very difficult fighter and has a championship, the WBO.

“People talk but I’m a very mature fighter and I know how to control myself. All I need to do is go into the ring, win and make history.”

“It’s because it hasn’t been done, no one has done it in Latin America. In the world only a few fighters have done it, the best. I want to make history and be one of the best in the world.”

Saunders will be defending his WBO title for a third time, after recently sending Martin Murray into retirement following his comprehensive points win over the Brit.

“Canelo, I’m ready to rock and roll,” said Saunders. “You have to dare to be great and you aren’t going to be a great if you don’t beat the greats.

“I believe I am the only one with the footwork, know-how, skillset, mindset and brain to unlock that door in Canelo.

“He’s the main man in the sport and the face of boxing. You have to give him respect, he hasn’t ducked anyone, he’s beaten good names, but nobody is unbeatable, and I believe I have got the tools to beat him if I use them properly and if the gamelan comes off that I believe works.

“I am looking at the golden ticket to cement my legacy, and that’s how you have to go in there to beat him. I’ve won everything from Southern Area to World titles, I could say ‘I’ve won it all, been to the Olympics, I’m unbeaten - I’ll see you later’.

"But I’ve only just turned 31, I’ve got no miles on the clock, haven’t taken any punishment - I believe he’s been in harder fights than me and has more miles, so I want to cement my legacy and beat him.”

“This is one of the biggest fights in the sport of boxing,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “The pound-for-pound king on the road to undisputed against the unbeaten champion who has long believed he can overcome him. After missing a chance to fight and celebrate on Cinco de Mayo last year this is going to be very special, we look forward to welcoming you for this momentous event.”

“Canelo vs. Saunders is a fascinating matchup of champions with massive international appeal,” said Ed Breeze, DAZN EVP, Rights. “From what we expect to be a fiery promotion to the competition in the ring, we’re thrilled to deliver this fight to DAZN subscribers across the world.”

You can subscribe to DAZN right now to rewatch Canelo's demolition of Yilidirm and be ready for the Saunders fight on May 8, with a ton of live action and exclusive content at your disposal between now and then.

[Thomastearns]

Let's face it, the result is a foregone conclusion. Everyone already knows.

The better version of Saunders, as seen against Lemieux, will clearly outbox Canelo only to inevitably lose on points.

It might be a split decision, but with his cards marked on advance, he must lose.

It is preordained. Everyone knows.

All other versions of Saunders also lose on points but without so many raised eyebrows.

In any case who would begrudge Billy Joe a career best payday?

Let's see what kind of story they have in place as regards the testing protocols. Saunders camp should insist on the strictest 24/7 random testing but unfortunately they're in no position to dictate terms to boxing's no 1 prima donna.

A slow fat Canelo would get beaten worse than he did against Mayweather, that's for sure. But that ain't happening either.

[Enlightened-One]

During 2017, I genuinely believed that the prime motivated version of Billy Joe Saunders was a better fighter than Canelo and GGG.

However, the Mexican has improved, whilst the Kazakh and the Brit have both declined.

I’d still favour Saunders to beat today's past-his-prime near forty year old version of Golovkin, but I feel the Brit is going to suffer a late stoppage against Canelo.

Saunders will very likely out-box Canelo and perhaps look impressive during the early rounds (even if the official scorecards state otherwise), but Billy Joe is known to run out-of-gas during the second half of bouts.

Saunders will enjoy some early success, but Canelo’s elusiveness, counterpunching, body shots and superior engine will inevitably take its toll, with Billy Joe struggling to survive the final three rounds of the bout.

And I feel that Canelo will achieve, what Eubank Jr. nearly did, by forcing a late stoppage over Saunders.

Saunders has his flaws, for sure, but lacking confidence isn’t one of them. He doesn’t know how to lose and will do his upmost to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, even if failing to do so results in him getting KO’d in the process.

I reckon this will be a really good fight to watch - an entertaining chess match. The Brit is a very live dog in this fight.

[Cent0089]

During 2017, I genuinely believed that the prime motivated version of Billy Joe Saunders was a better fighter than Canelo and GGG.

However, the Mexican has improved, whilst the Kazakh and the Brit have both declined.

I’d still favour Saunders to beat today's past-his-prime near forty year old version of Golovkin, but I feel the Brit is going to suffer a late stoppage against Canelo.

Saunders will very likely out-box Canelo and perhaps look impressive during the early rounds (even if the official scorecards state otherwise), but Billy Joe is known to run out-of-gas during the second half of bouts.

Saunders will enjoy some early success, but Canelo’s elusiveness, counterpunching, body shots and superior engine will inevitably take its toll, with Billy Joe struggling to survive the final three rounds of the bout.

And I feel that Canelo will achieve, what Eubank Jr. nearly did, by forcing a late stoppage over Saunders.

Saunders has his flaws, for sure, but lacking confidence isn’t one of them. He doesn’t know how to lose and will do his upmost to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, even if failing to do so results in him getting KO’d in the process.

I reckon this will be a really good fight to watch - an entertaining chess match. The Brit is a very live dog in this fight.

Styles makes fights, Golovkin will eat Saunders alive. Saunders is bigger problem for Canelo than for Golovkin. Stil picking Canelo via UD in this one with Saunders have few good rounds. GGG will stop Saunders IMO

[Tevfik1907]

I don't see how BJS is a bad match-up for Canelo. You need a pressure type boxer (like Golovkin) to beat Canelo. BJS is a very skilled at distance, he is 2015 Tyson Fury's middleweight version, that's not going to work on Canelo.

Once Eubank Jr. understand that he is going to lose, he started to brawl and put more pressure on BJS, he actually won the last rounds, if he fought like that I believe it would be a closer fight. He underestimated BJS's skills and thought he could match him, it was a tactical mistake imo.

BJS can't fight like that, while Canelo can. I don't see how BJS can be a threat to Canelo.

[JxhDel.]

Even if BJ tries his best and gives Nelo a real lesson in boxing and not just doing well every trick by Reynoso (he does look phenomenal, sure, against Callum Smith and guys like that), I mean something rare, he will not win.

[Cent0089]

I don't see how BJS is a bad match-up for Canelo. You need a pressure type boxer (like Golovkin) to beat Canelo. BJS is a very skilled at distance, he is 2015 Tyson Fury's middleweight version, that's not going to work on Canelo.

Once Eubank Jr. understand that he is going to lose, he started to brawl and put more pressure on BJS, he actually won the last rounds, if he fought like that I believe it would be a closer fight. He underestimated BJS's skills and thought he could match him, it was a tactical mistake imo.

BJS can't fight like that, while Canelo can. I don't see how BJS can be a threat to Canelo.

Pressure worked in first GGG fight, but Canelo make adjustments and handled it in rematch like a man. Golovkin has rare combination of strength, pressure, punching power, accuracy, defense, toughness and chin and still was not able to beat Canelo in rematch. Average pressure boxer will end up like Kirkland. Until you bring Artur Beterbiev or someone from cruiserweight, pressure is not primary key to beat Alvarez. I dont say BJS is a bad matchup for Canelo, but he posses more threat than Caleb Plant or David Benavidez IMO

[Tevfik1907]

I don't see how BJS is a bad match-up for Canelo. You need a pressure type boxer (like Golovkin) to beat Canelo. BJS is a very skilled at distance, he is 2015 Tyson Fury's middleweight version, that's not going to work on Canelo.

Once Eubank Jr. understand that he is going to lose, he started to brawl and put more pressure on BJS, he actually won the last rounds, if he fought like that I believe it would be a closer fight. He underestimated BJS's skills and thought he could match him, it was a tactical mistake imo.

BJS can't fight like that, while Canelo can. I don't see how BJS can be a threat to Canelo.

Pressure worked in first GGG fight, but Canelo make adjustments and handled it in rematch like a man. Golovkin has rare combination of strength, pressure, punching power, accuracy, defense, toughness and chin and still was not able to beat Canelo in rematch. Average pressure boxer will end up like Kirkland. Until you bring Artur Beterbiev or someone from cruiserweight, pressure is not primary key to beat Alvarez. I dont say BJS is a bad matchup for Canelo, but he posses more threat than Caleb Plant or David Benavidez IMO

Still, even the second fight was close, I would say that's the true draw. And Golovkin won the first clearly.

Kirkland is essentially 155er superwelterweight, I don't think anyone can match with Canelo's strength from superwelterweights.

You need big middleweights, and who fights with pressure.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Billy Joe Saunders says there’s no rematch clause for his May 8th fight against superstar Canelo Alvarez.

The fact that Canelo (55-1-2, 37 KOs) has chosen not to bother including a rematch clause in his contract with WBO super middleweight champion Saunders (30-0, 14 KOs) shows you how confident he is of winning.



Billy Joe wants a fair decision

“He’s the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world,” said Saunders to Pep Talk UK about Canelo. “He came out the other week [against Avni Yildirim], and he shined like a star that he is. I’m looking forward to getting in the ring with him.

“No, he’s seen and done it all. You can’t play with him,” said Saunders when asked if he’ll play mind games with Canelo. “He’s been at the highest level. He’s been there and done it.

“If you play mind games, you’re playing with yourself because they’ll be bouncing all around and bouncing back at you. There are three champions at the weight [168], and we’ll see who the best is.

“There’s no rematch clause for him,” said Saunders about his match against Canelo.

“A lot of things have happened in boxing where I should have gone out of the game a long time ago. I always bounce back and come back for a reason. I believe this is the reason.

“The fights got to be one. I want a fair decision,” said Saunders

[Enlightened-One]

What type of fighter has been the most effective against Canelo?

• Physically large, strong, aggressive “stalk-‘til-they-can’t walk” fighters that are deemed big punchers?
• Diminutive, fast, skilled, and elusive counterpunchers employing effective defence to make their opponents miss and then making them pay?

Mainstream casuals might refer to the first GGG fight as Canelo’s stylistic Achilles heel, but they conveniently forget the manner in which he turned the tables in the rematch. He adapted, which means that strategy will no longer work against him.

Come fight night, Billy Joe Saunders will only be third southpaw opponent Canelo has faced within eight years.

It’ll be interesting to see if Canelo is affected by the unique stylistic challenge Billy Joe Saunders presents. And also how many rounds it’ll take him to solve the puzzle and gain the winning momentum.

[geronimo]

I feel like it will be another easy fight for Alvarez. I hope It wont be that

[Brute]

I think Saunders can take it. Canelo can be outboxed and struggles with fighters that move. Amir Khan arguably won every round against Canelo until he was knocked out. Jacobs also done very well.

I am taking Saunders sneaking a decision.. He has decent enough ring IQ to avoid trading shots and knows what he needs to do to get the win.

Saunders does not have the experience to beat Canelo.

[brilo33]

well the facts are power cant beat saul, so mayweather showed boxing can beat saul, bjs is a boxer but can he stay the 12 rds is my concern,

[caldo2025]

I still doubt that this fight ever gets in the record books considering, as fully expected by me, BJS is already coming up with excuses. Apparently, he’s late to start camp due to the flu. This is just a waste of time IMO. Canelo will end up fighting a late undeserving opponent scratch in that will have 1 or 2 weeks to prepare bc BJS will not be ready like most knowledgeable boxing fans have said from the start. The only bright side is that whoever Canelo ends up fighting in May, they have to be more competitive than that absolute fish Yildirim.

[Evander]

You need to push one another at the press conference to jazz this fight up.
BJS needs to up his hype game.
It sells on name not excitement at this point.

[The Gratest]

You need to push one another at the press conference to jazz this fight up.
BJS needs to up his hype game.
It sells on name not excitement at this point.

Would BJS' son dare to touch the sacred ginger nuts?

[Evander]

Not sure if that was doctored, I have to see the whole thing and put it in to perspective.