By Michael Doss

Billy Joe Saunders is currently training hard with new trainer Dominic Ingle, in preparation for his September 16th title defense against Willie Monroe Jr at the Copper Boxing in London, England.

The WBO world middleweight champion is well known for being good friends with former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.  Much like Fury,  Saunders is a very outspoken figure in the boxing world.

With Fury’s recent posts on Twitter giving the boxing world the impression he was leaving the game for good, Saunders dismissed his good pal’s retirement plans.

“Let me tell you about Tyson.  Tyson will be back.” Saunders, 27, told ATG Radio  “Tyson will 100% be back fighting at the elite level again.

“It’s only at the moment he has a dark cloud over his head regarding his boxing license.  That doesn’t enhance until after October.  Once we get October out of the way, he will 100% announce his return. I personal think within one or two fights he can fight Wilder or Anthony Joshua.”  

Fury has been out of the ring since November 2015, when he upset Wladimir Klitschko by way of a twelve round unanimous decision to capture the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO world titles in Germany.

Fury was stripped of the IBF belt for failing to make a mandatory defense, and then pretty much vacated his three remaining belts after walking away from the sport to deal with his mental health. A Fury comeback is still required to overcome some hurdles, as British drug testing agency UKAD is still investigating Fury for a failed drug test in early 2015. He must deal with the UKAD issue before he's capable of reclaiming his boxing license.

Michael Doss is the host of ATG Radio and longtime contributor to Boxingscene.com.   Please email questions or comments to mkydos@gmail.com