Billy Joe Saunders can only dream of hearing the final bell in his mismatch fight with Saul Alvarez
THE idea of sharing a ring with the dangerously sublime Saul Alvarez is as appetising as a free seven-day holiday to Milan. Magical and majestic Mexican, “Canelo” — a four-weight world champion in 2011 — decided he would fight just twice a year — in the spring and autumn. And this year he is coming […]
THE idea of sharing a ring with the dangerously sublime Saul Alvarez is as appetising as a free seven-day holiday to Milan.
Magical and majestic Mexican, “Canelo” — a four-weight world champion in 2011 — decided he would fight just twice a year — in the spring and autumn.
And this year he is coming out of hibernation in Las Vegas on May 2, having chosen Billy Joe Saunders to have the privilege of being in the opposite corner.
It is going to be a unification battle with Alvarez defending his WBA (Regular) world super-middleweight title while Brit Saunders’ WBO belt will also be on the line.
Outside the heavyweight division Canelo is by far boxing’s biggest attraction because of his undoubted brilliance, power-punching and rare appearances.
Considering his amazing career it is understandable.
Turning pro aged 15 in 2005, Alvarez has lost only one of his 56 fights and that was to the incomparable Floyd Mayweather Jr seven years ago.
In that time he has amassed 20 world championship masterclasses and his dazzling ringcraft and flashing fists have seen him reign from light-middleweight to light-heavyweight — covering an astonishing two stone weight-span.
So it is no surprise, before the ink had dried on the contract, Alvarez was installed as the 6-1 ON favourite despite Saunders being an unbeaten two-time world champion.
Canelo, 29, enjoys beating-up British challengers.
HATTS OFF TO YA
Matthew Hatton, Ricky’s brother, bravely went the distance with him when they fought for the vacant WBC light-middleweight crown nine years ago in California.
But he certainly didn’t find it too much of a chore knocking out Ryan Rhodes, Liam Smith, Amir Khan or Rocky Fielding.
For years Saunders has been begging for the opportunity to tackle Alvarez, though on paper his chances of beating him belong between the slim and none categories.
Saunders, 30, has been dying to pit his considerable skills against the Mexican super-hero.
Technically Tyson Fury’s mate is a superb boxer and when he’s in the mood and has trained seriously he is an extremely formidable opponent for anyone.
Where Canelo is concerned, I believe the best Saunders can hope for is to hear the final bell at the end of what could be 12 textbook rounds.
Saunders’ disappointment at losing for the first time, in his 30th pro bout, will no doubt be softened by the £6million-plus he’s being paid.
But if he should achieve what appears to be impossible and returns home with Canelo’s scalp in his luggage, he will be able to legitimately claim to have scored the greatest-ever British victory on foreign soil.
MOST READ IN BOXING
Below, I’ve picked my top six who made history and — apart from Fury — the other five had to overcome insurmountable odds to cover themselves in glory.
LLOYD HONEYGHAN v DON CURRY
Atlantic City, 1986, world welterweight title
Curry was feted as the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter.
But Honeyghan, with Mike Tyson and Frank Sinatra ringside, battered him so badly he retired at the end of the sixth.
KEN BUCHANAN v ISMAEL LAGUNA
Puerto Rico, 1975, world lightweight title
Buchanan, in a stadium with the temperature more than 38C and his left eye closed, outscored Laguna to become the first Brit to win a world title abroad for 55 years.
JOHN H STRACEY v JOSE NAPOLES
Mexico City, 1975, world welterweight title
In front of more than 40,000 hostile fans in the city’s biggest bullring, Stracey picked himself off the canvas in the first round to stop the legendary Napoles in the sixth.
TYSON FURY v DEONTAY WILDER
Las Vegas, 2020, WBC world heavyweight title
Fury’s performance, when he forced Wilder on to the back foot so much his corner threw in the towel in the seventh round, will live long in the memory of all fight fans.
NIGEL BENN v DOUG DeWITT
Atlantic City, 1990, world middleweight title
The man known as the Dark Destroyer was at his meanest in New Jersey — and he put DeWitt on the canvas four times before eventually stopping him in the eighth round.
KELL BROOK v SHAWN PORTER
California, 2014, IBF world welterweight title
It isn’t easy for any foreigner to win a points decision in a world title fight against an American in the US.
Which shows just how dominant Kell was at the end of the 12 rounds.