SM
Man City vs. Chelsea: 11 hrs 37 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Eddie Hearn optimistic Billy Joe Saunders-Saul Alvarez fight will go ahead

:Headline: Eddie Hearn optimistic Billy Joe Saunders-Saul Alvarez fight will go ahead: ID:393306: from db_amp
The pair could meet in June or July, depending on the coronavirus crisis.

Eddie Hearn expects Billy Joe Saunders' blockbuster showdown against Mexican superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez to go ahead provided the global coronavirus pandemic does not eat into boxing's summer schedule.

Saunders edged out fellow unbeaten British super-middleweight Callum Smith for a highly sought after bout against Alvarez, the pound-for-pound superstar who has only lost to Floyd Mayweather in a 56-fight professional career.

But a proposed May 2 date which coincides with the Cinco de Mayo weekend celebrations, when Alvarez likes to align his fights, has been called off because of the Covid-19 outbreak that has decimated the sporting calendar.

Muddying the waters about rescheduling the contest are reports in the United States suggesting Alvarez has already agreed to a highly-anticipated trilogy bout against middleweight rival Gennady Golovkin on September 12.

Hearn, Saunders' promoter, still expects the WBO super-middleweight champion to take on Alvarez this summer, but admitted matters have been taken out of his hands because of the uncertain landscape at present.

"It leaves Billy Joe with a deal in place to fight Canelo Alvarez," Hearn told Sky Sports News.

"Everything now depends on when the sport begins again because that fight was supposed to take place on Cinco de Mayo, now we know that's definitely not happening.

"Will boxing return in June or July? If it does then there's every chance that Billy Joe Saunders will fight Canelo Alvarez during that period and the date of the Golovkin fight will be pushed back.

Billy Joe Saunders is the WBO super-middleweight champion (Paul Harding/PA)

"Right now, Billy Joe Saunders is actually in Las Vegas, training. We were supposed to have a press conference on Monday to announce the Canelo Alvarez fight.

"No one knows what they're doing, this is the moment where you've got to stay focused and disciplined. I believe Billy Joe Saunders will fight Canelo Alvarez as long as the boxing schedule returns in the summer."

Hearn announced on Tuesday that his Matchroom events in March and April have all been postponed, while Dillian Whyte-Alexander Povetkin on May 2 and Dereck Chisora-Oleksandr Usyk on May 23 are in doubt.

So too is Anthony Joshua's world heavyweight title defence against Kubrat Pulev on June 20 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Hearn added: "They're all at risk, they're all in doubt. The truth is, no one really knows right now where we're going and what pace we're going.

"Those May dates are the next ones at risk, we've probably got a two-week window where we'll be at the mercy of the Government to let us know what their plans are and particularly how this virus continues to spread and at what rate.

"Right now, May is going ahead but we also understand we have contingencies in place to move Dillian Whyte to the middle of June, to move Dereck Chisora-Usyk back into the end of June, early July.

"Anthony Joshua, who is due to go June 20 at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, really relies on the run of the Premier League now because, if the Premier League extend their season, Spurs will need their stadium.

"We already have a reserve date that we're discussing with Spurs of July 25 for Anthony Joshua against Kubrat Pulev at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium."

amp_article__393306 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-03-18 15:13:32:
html db last update - 2021-03-09 06:59:03 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Coronavirus outbreak - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Billy Joe Saunders

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416
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.



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