I won’t be Billy idle
NO SLACKING FOR SAUNDERS AS HE EYES CANELO CLASH
BILLY JOE SAUNDERS has claimed he will stay ready through winter to ensure he is in shape to pounce if he gets the call to fight Canelo Alvarez.
The WBO super- middleweight champion takes on rival Martin Murray tonight at Wembley Arena.
And in two weeks’ time he will be backing fellow Brit Callum Smith when he defends his WBA title against Mexican superstar Alvarez in the US.
But if Smith comes up short, then Saunders wants his chance next May after missing out on the mega- money fight this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Obviously, I would love the winner of that fight,” said Saunders. “If Smith wins, I’m sure there is a rematch clause.
“Callum has all the tools to do it but I just don’t think four or five weeks is a big enough training camp for that fight.
“I wasn’t prepared to go in there for millions and go in halfhearted and half in shape. I will be on it until May to get that fight, though, if Alvarez wins.
“If it doesn’t happen, then
I’ll be pushing for a big fight – it has to be a unification next.”
Saunders is a huge favourite tonight against Murray, who has been out of the ring for more than a year.
But the St Helens scrapper will be up for it in what is his fifth world title shot and last roll of the dice at 38.
“If you want to go on pro experience, he has more than me,” said Saunders, who is unbeaten in 29 bouts.
“He has challenged for the world title four times. He should have won two of them titles. If it is his lucky night, it’s his lucky night. There’s always a risk.”
LAWRENCE OKOLIE is facing a nervous wait to see if an opponent can be found for his world title clash.
The British cruiserweight was due to face Krzysztof Glowacki for the vacant WBO title next week on Anthony Joshua’s undercard, but the Pole tested positive for Covid- 19.