Exclusive: Billy Joe Saunders vs Chris Eubank Jr rematch can happen, says promoter
- Joe Hewlett
- 7 February 2022
Kalle Sauerland has admitted Saunders is on Chris Eubank Jr's shortlist and a rematch is a possibility.
Chris Eubank Jr floored Liam Williams three times in four rounds on his way to recording a unanimous decision win over the Welshman.
Despite a fast and impressive start, Eubank struggled during the second half of the fight but was able to knock him down for a fourth time in the 11th round.
The judges were all in favour of Eubank with scorecards of 116-109, 116-108 and 117-109 to "NextGen".
Planet Sport has been told by Kalle Sauerland that Billy Joe Saunders is on the shortlist for Eubank's next fight and a rematch is on the cards.
"There's a list we work through and then see what's really available. We will then see what the number one choice is after that. Of course Billy is on our list," Sauerland said when asked who the number one choice is for Eubank next.
Saunders is more than ready to make a comeback and face Eubank but is under contract with DAZN while Eubank has become the new face of Sky Sports under BOXXER and Wasserman Boxing.
There would have to be a deal between Sauerland, Ben Shalom and Eddie Hearn to allow Eubank-Saunders to take place.
Saunders, a 2008 Olympian, last fought in May 2021 against Canelo Alvarez. Despite showcasing some impressive boxing in the mid-rounds, Saunders retired on the stool after round eight.
It was later revealed the southpaw had suffered multiple fractures to his eye socket during the fight. He now has several metal plates protecting his right eye and said he physically felt his eye drop during the eighth round of his Cinco de Mayo battle.
Saunders is a former two-division world champion, more known for his performances at middleweight which included wins over Andy Lee and David Lemieux. He also defeated arch-rival Eubank in 2014 via split-decision for the British, Commonwealth and European titles.
"Billy Joe Saunders is a name that's always going to be brought up and is obviously an interesting one as well," Sauerland added.
"Both are not far off that middleweight limit - when I see them walking around they are certainly well over it and they're certainly not getting any younger in terms of making that weight so that's also a natural fight that could come about. There's a list of five or six very mouth-watering options for the next 12 months.
GGG also on the radar
Eubank has made it clear he wants a second opportunity to become world champion. IBF middleweight titlist Gennadiy Golovkin is a name that has been mentioned although he is expected to face Ryota Murata next.
The pair were due to face off in a unification last year only for new Covid-19 regulations to come in and cancel the proposed clash in Japan.
Any chance of facing Golovkin would not have to wait until later this year for Eubank but the Kazakh admitted he had an enjoyable experience fighting in the UK in 2015.
Golovkin - who defeated Kell Brook via TKO in round five at London's O2 Arena - responded to Eubank's recent call out to Sky Sports, branding it 'cheap'.
"I have stopped paying attention to people calling me out.
"It's the same thing. People claim things, they say that they have certain arrangements.
"It just looks cheap. It's not worth my attention at all.
"I remember coming to the UK. I liked that night, I enjoyed it. It was an entertaining fight. I would not limit myself to any individual country.
"It depends on many factors. I'm sure the conditions offered for a fight in the United States or in my home country of Kazakhstan would not be any worse than those offered in the UK. So let's be realistic."
