SM
Newcastle vs. West Ham: 14 hrs 54 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Billy Joe Saunders: 'Bad diet could cost me'

:Headline: Billy Joe Saunders: 'Bad diet could cost me': ID:424786: from db_amp
Billy Joe Saunders has not fought for 13 months.

Billy Joe Saunders has feared his diet of cakes could cost him dear as he prepares to return to the ring for the first time in 13 months against Martin Murray on Friday night.

The WBO super-middleweight champion conceded his own devotion to the sport pales when compared with that of 38-year-old Murray, who has come up short in four previous world title bids, all overseas.

Saunders said: "Martin is obviously a good family man and he lives the life outside the gym probably better than me – maybe that makes it more equal.

World champion Billy Joe Saunders has not fought for 13 months (Paul Harding/PA)

"I go up (in weight) like a fat pig so he's in camp training all the time while I'm sitting back eating cakes, then I get a phone call saying this is what you're getting, go to camp and train and fight."

Saunders knows he needs to change that mentality if he is to shrug off the disappointment of his two most recent performances, and re-assert his claims to a crack at the division's number one, Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.

The 31-year-old had been slated to face the Mexican prior to the outbreak of coronavirus, and now domestic rival Callum Smith has agreed to undertake the daunting challenge later this month.

Saunders added: "I don't put pressure on myself, but obviously if I'm chasing the winner of Callum Smith and Canelo, I know I've got to do something that no-one's done – I have to shine against Martin Murray."

Martin Murray has come up short in four previous world title bids (Chris Radburn/PA)

Murray has suffered heartbreak in all of his previous title bids, including a brave points defeat to the then world number one Sergio Martinez in Buenos Aires in April 2013.

But despite the display of mutual respect between the two men, Murray is convinced all his setbacks have set him up to make it fifth time lucky on Friday night.

Murray said: "This is my fifth one now and I really rate Billy Joe, but I truly believe that all the pull-outs and setbacks I have had have got me to this point.

"I'm fit and focused and ready. I don't watch much boxing but I've seen a few of Billy's fights and I know he's going to be ready on Friday night, so I'm ready for the elite Billy Joe."

amp_article__424786 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-12-02 16:55:13:
html db last update - 2020-12-02 16:55:13 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Billy Joe Saunders

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .