Warren: I’ve Got More Faith in Saunders Beating Canelo Than His Own Promoter

Promoter Frank Warren believes WBO super middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders is more than capable of shocking Canelo Alvarez, who holds the WBC, WBA world titles.

The two champions will collide on May 8th in a three belt unification.

Canelo is a tremendous favorite to win the fight – with only three outings at the super middleweight limit.

He blasted out Rocky Fielding in 2018, dominated Callum Smith to capture the WBC, WBA titles in December 2020, and then last month he crushed mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim in three rounds.

Warren had promoted Saunders for the bulk of his career.

A few years ago, the two parted ways with Saunders signing a promotional agreement with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom.

Despite their breakup, Warren views Saunders as having the necessary tools in his arsenal to get the upset victory.

“If anyone can beat Canelo Alvarez then, for me, it is Billy Joe Saunders. And it seems like I’ve got more faith in Saunders pulling off an upset than his own promoter. Eddie Hearn said he is already talking to IBF super middleweight champion Caleb Plant’s team about an undisputed clash with Alvarez,” Warren told The Daily Star.

“If I was Saunders, I wouldn’t want my promoter coming out and saying that. The Brit is preparing to put his WBO title on the line against the pound-for-pound star and current WBA and WBC champion on May 8. Of course, I worked with Saunders for most of his professional career so I know as well as anyone what he is capable of.

“Saunders at his best can beat anyone in the division and Alvarez is no different. But my fear is how comfortable the Mexican is now at the weight. Alvarez has already gone up to light heavyweight and handled a huge fighter like Sergey Kovalev. Now he is back down at [168], he is very, very good at that weight. Saunders has moved up from middleweight to become a two-weight world champion.

“The question will be is he strong enough to keep Alvarez off of him for 12 rounds? Saunders also has not been as active as I would like, he needs to be in the ring regularly to show his best. But he has the skills to do this. Saunders at his best is brilliant, he has a superb boxing brain and he can out-think any fighter.”