Billy Joe Saunders vs Austin Trout

It's an interesting fight. Trout hasn't actually made the 154 limit since 2014. His last 3 fights he's come in over 154 so the initial thoughts about the weight disadvantage are somewhat dispelled since technically Trout has fought as a middleweight in his last 3 fights, instead of a light-middle. Good match up, look forward it.

Not a bad fight.. Would rather see Eubanks 2, Golovkin but I will take trout as an opponent.. First thoughts- trout will look to box behind his jab, will outwork Saunders early, Saunders will throw the heavier flashier punches, will slowly take over, drop trout at least once, and win a close but clear decision over trout..

The fact is, if he wins and milks another defense or 2 out of it before GGG, it's a great business decision. If he loses, not so much. Depending on how the fight turns out, sure. If he loses in a tough, competitive fight, it's not like he gets washed off of the main stage. Only way the deal goes bad would be if Trout comes in and blows Saunders out in 3-4 rounds; BJS gets tagged with being Euro-level fighter who lucked into a title opportunity, leaving him stuck fighting UK level guys.

Shoulda been Lara wtf Lara would actually have to fight at 160, instead of Luis DeCubas Jr just talking about it on twitter.

On balance, a great business decision. The fact is, if he wins and milks another defense or 2 out of it before GGG, it's a great business decision. If he loses, not so much.

Shoulda been Lara wtf

Saunders is a little better than Trout at just about everything and he will win by ud or KO in my opinion. Saunders loses to Canelo but beats Trout. His skills are right in between the two. He hits harder and boxes better and takes a punch better than Trout but not as well as Canelo. He would give Canelo a good fight but he would lose.

I was wondering when Trout would up the competition again. He's been looking better under Barry Hunter

I'll quit watching boxing before watching Trout fight again. Built like rambo, punches like Jane.

we know he's going to be making 3.2 million or more to fight trout. good business decision Simply weighing out the options: -$3.2m package to fight Golovkin (HBO/BoxNation/live gate/ other TV); likely splitting the pot 50/50 in a title unification. -Fighting Austin Trout in the UK (BoxNation/live gate/matinee broadcast for Showtime International/etc); likely splitting the pot 85/15 in his favor for the Trout fight, with increased leverage for subsequent talks with a victory (vs. EubankJr being a fight that trumps everything). Can only truly evaluate a business decision when actually looking at the full scope of what's being offered. $3.2m to fight Golovkin (in a fight that most bookies would have him as an underdog for, likely scuttling future plans), versus 85/15 on the pot to fight Austin Trout (likely will put north of $2m into his pocket, once everything is counted, in a fight that the bookies will likely have him favored in; future plans can be laid, though he'd still have to win the fight) On balance, a great business decision.

One has to take into account Trout's chin, which has always been shaky. If Saunders can KD and seriously hurt Lee, a true MW with dangerous power, then a blown-up LMW without much power who gets KD'ed in almost every fight shouldn't pose much more problems. I'll even go so far as to say Eubank Jr. and Blackwell were harder fights than Trout. The only way Saunders loses is if he tries to fight too 'cutely' against someone with the handspeed of Trout; he has to impose his size and not let him get into a comfortable rhythm like he did with Cotto. And if he gets a KD, he absolutely needs to finish him; Alvarez learnt that the hard way and damn near lost the fight.

As a first title defense this is very ballsy from Billy Joe. See him out-boxing Trout, but still. Imagine Eddie Hearn putting one of his fighters in a fight like this for their first defense Well put!!! Excellent post.

As a first title defense this is very ballsy from Billy Joe. See him out-boxing Trout, but still. Imagine Eddie Hearn putting one of his fighters in a fight like this for their first defense

If trout fights from the outside... Trout. But Billy Joe ain't no joke... Very decent fight...

we know he's going to be making 3.2 million or more to fight trout. good business decision Give us your prediction fam

both can box pretty well but saunders is bigger, stronger, punches harder and way more durable so he has all the advantages, saunders all day

Austin Trout is moving up to 160? I can dig this fight I guess.

we know he's going to be making 3.2 million or more to fight trout. good business decision

Im thinking trout outboxes him