By Keith Idec
Promoter Frank Warren said during a Liam Smith conference call Thursday that he’ll announce Billy Joe Saunders’ next fight Monday.
England’s Saunders (23-0, 12 KOs) hasn’t fought since he won the WBO middleweight title from fellow Brit Andy Lee (34-3-1, 24 KOs) by majority decision December 19 in Manchester. The spunky southpaw has spent an ample amount of time since winning that 160-pound championship engaging in cringe-worthy social media exchanges regarding several potential opponents Saunders has not agreed to fight for various undisclosed reasons.
A bout between Saunders and Philadelphia’s Gabe Rosado was considered by Warren and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions for the Canelo Alvarez-Smith undercard September 17 in Arlington, Texas. That fight failed to materialize, though, and Rosado (23-9, 13 KOs) agreed to face Willie Monroe Jr. (20-2, 6 KOs), of Rochester, New York, as part of that HBO Pay-Per-View undercard.
When asked if Saunders was a potential opponent for Alvarez in December, Warren was quick to point out Alvarez won’t have to worry about boxing Saunders.
“That is not a possibility because Liam Smith is gonna win this fight,” Warren said. “That’s what we’re there for. We’re not there to lose.”
When a sharp-tongued reporter responded, “that in the event some miracle happens and Liam does not win, would [Alvarez-Saunders] still be in play,” Warren wouldn’t bite.
“If [Saunders] doesn’t win, all I know is everybody will be demanding a rematch,” said Warren, who declined to reveal Saunders’ opponent. “Because this is gonna be a great fight. Whatever happens, you’re gonna wanna – if he loses, which I don’t think he will, then you’ll wanna see the rematch.”
Keith Idec covers boxing for The Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, N.J., and BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.
