Say what you will about Billy Joe Saunders, but the man believes in himself and his ability to take on the powerhouse that is Canelo Alvarez. As the two fighters get set to meet in Arlington, Texas this Saturday in a Matchroom main event, Saunders says he’s not letting any naysayers bring him down about his chances as he feels extremely confident in his ability.
“This fight is all about the brain. Not about power, muscle or skill, it’s the brain and the game plan, and being able to execute that game plan,” Saunders said.
“I brush opinions off because I know what goes through my head and my mind, and what I have done in my career is through the will and want to win, and the day I lose that, I won’t put a pair of gloves on again.”
Saunders (30-0, 14 KO) says he “can only control what he is in control of.”
“I have my own way of approaching the fight and Canelo will have, too, he’s done this nearly 60 times. I’ll get in there as the best that I can be and that’s all I can control,” he said. “I’ve been the underdog before, I’ve been the away fighter before, it’s not a new position, but I’m just in with a better opponent this time.
“If I go in there and I win, I’m not going to run and say never again, I’ll fight him again, I’ll fight anyone, anywhere, it doesn’t bother me. It’s good for boxing sometimes when the underdogs come through, and I don’t just mean me here, because it puts the sport on a higher platform to be watched.”
We’ve often criticized Saunders for fighting down to the level of opposition at times when he’s clearly been unmotivated, but he’s got no excuse for that this time going against the preeminent star in boxing today. So if Saunders has it in him to be a truly special fighter, this is the fight where we’ll find out for sure.
