Saunders Eyes Megafight with Canelo After Beating Murray
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 02 Dec 2020
British WBO super middleweight world champion Billy Joe Saunders can’t wait to make the 2nd defense of his 168-pound crown against veteran 38-year-old British compatriot Martin Murray (39-5-1, 17 KO’s) this Friday, December 4, at the Wembley Arena in England.
Fighting Murray is not the golden mega fight that he has been wanting, but right now it’s the best his promoter could come up with as it keeps him busy and in the eyes of boxing fans.
In fact, a big rash-taker, which some fans love and some hate, Billy Joe Saunders (29-0, 14 KO’s) is super favorite to retain his title against the experienced warrior-heart Martin Murray, a tough fighter who was nevertheless knocked out by relentless slugger GGG.
In reality, for many fans, the best fighting years in Martin Murray’s career can be seen in the back mirror. But in boxing we never know, right? That’s why we shall see what happens Friday.
A slick, confusing southpaw, Saunders became a 2-division world champion in May of last year after scoring a win by points over rather unknown Serbian Shefat Isufi to claim the WBO 168-pound belt.
After that, Saunders came close to securing a megafight with exciting, bankable Mexican Canelo Álvarez earlier this year.
Unfortunately, the treacherous coronavirus pandemic turned the world of boxing upside down, ruining Saunders' chances to rumble with Canelo.
However, if Billy Joe Saunders wins impressively over Martin Murray this Friday, the Briton would surely re-ignite interest on that fight, getting himself back in the radar for a possible 2021 showdown against the hugely popular 30-year-old Canelo.
But Canelo still needs to win awesomely good against tough undefeated champion Callum Smith in their thrilling war set to unfold in San Antonio on Dec 12. It’s a battle that might end by knockout., but who will prevail? 🥊
Will Canelo ravage Callum Smith the same way he crushed the “Russian Krusher” Sergey Kovalev?
Or will Callum Smith shatter the Mexican’s universe?
If Saunders and Canelo both win, we might see them next year. Might.
Might because DAZN might otherwise want to push for Canelo vs Golovkin IV, which could be more attractive to fans. We shall wait and see who wins their coming fights and how. 👍
Saunders vs Murray for the WBO super middleweight world title is promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing live worldwide on DAZN.
Who will emerge victorious? 🧐
The author veteran boxing writer Carlos Costa lives in Cebu and can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and WhatsApp +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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