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Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom has revealed that he’s been in discussions with the management of former two division world champion Billy Joe Saunders with respect to a comeback.
Saunders was last seen in action back in May of 2021, when he suffered the first loss of his career – a stoppage at the hands of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in their super middleweight unification.
During the fight, Saunders suffered a fractured orbital bone.
There was talk of possible retirement by Saunders – but he’s not pulled the trigger on walking away and has kept pretty quiet regarding a ring return.
Hearn would like to match him in a rematch with John Ryder, who recently picked up a shock decision win over Daniel Jacobs. And down the line he would like to make the rematch between Saunders and Chris Eubank Jr.
“I have actually [spoken to Saunders about a return], or some people that work with him. I’d like to see Billy Joe back in the ring. We’re talking to him about possible fights in September/October. He has gotta get back in the gym and take the weight off because he’s notorious for enjoying himself in between camps. But he’s a very good fighter,” Hearn told Talk Sport.
“Until he broke his eye socket against Canelo Alvarez, he was having a great fight. He’s controversial, he’s talented, and of course the Billy Joe Saunders vs Chris Eubank Jr fight down the road – I don’t believe you’ll see that this year anyway.
“But I’d like to see John Ryder fight Billy Joe Saunders. They had a great fight a few years ago, it was very close. John’s got great momentum after the Daniel Jacobs fight and hopefully we can get Billy Joe back in the ring.”