BILLY JOE SAUNDERS can record one of the all-time great wins for a Brit on away soil should he dethrone Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez.
Saunders goes to Texas for a super-middleweight unification on Saturday against boxing’s top attraction.
The unbeaten slick southpaw would rarely be considered an underdog but will have no arguments in taking that role when faced against cash cow Canelo.
A win for Saunders would resonate and rank high in the greatest results for a travelling Brit.
Here, SunSport runs down some of the greatest wins away from home ahead of Saunders’ date with destiny.
LLOYD HONEYGHAN vs Don Curry, 1986
Considered one of the most famous victories on the road, Honeyghan stunned undisputed welterweight champion Curry.
Curry was 25-0 at the time and primed for a super-fight with middleweight icon Marvin Hagler.
But Honeyghan had other plans as he fought his heart out through six rounds and caused a nasty gash to form on Curry’s left eye.
The ringside doctor stopped the fight, capping off a remarkable upset that is still celebrated today.
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NIGEL BENN vs Doug DeWitt, 1990
Opinions were divided when Benn travelled to Atlantic City to challenge for the WBO middleweight title.
He was 25-1 at the time, had explosive knockout power and looked almost too relentless for anyone to handle.
But getting the nod Stateside was another problem in itself, especially against DeWitt, who was more experienced at world level.
Benn was dropped in the second round, but as he did so many times in his career rallied back to win in the eighth, scoring four knockdowns in the process.
The stoppage was perhaps not so much a shock, but it paved the way for Benn’s countrymen to take the leap in America and come home with the gold.
NASEEM HAMED vs Kevin Kelley, 1997
Hamed, only 23 at the time, was making the eighth defence of his WBO belt, but did so fighting in the States for the first time.
He was considered the favourite, due to his awkward style and momentum, but it was the thrilling four rounds which will live long in the memory.
In total, there were seven knockdown, with Naz hitting the deck three times and Kelly four.
The back-and-forth action was stopped when Hamed twice dropped American Kelly in the fourth to cap off a breathtaking night in New York.
JOE CALZAGHE vs Bernard Hopkins, 2008
Welshman Calzaghe was boxing towards the end of his illustrious career, while little did anyone know Hopkins had plenty left in the tank.
At the time, the American was still considered a pound-for-pound star, but due to his age was a slight underdog.
But it was Calzaghe who had to pick himself up from the deck in the first round to outbox Hopkins.
It was not the most thrilling fight, but Calzaghe still scored an away win against an all-time great.
KELL BROOK vs Shawn Porter, 2014
Porter had won the IBF welterweight belt by beating Devon Alexander the year before facing challenger Brook.
The American was a heavy betting favourite and was backed to win by KO by Keith Thurman, Amir Khan and Alexander.
But Brook upset the applecart as he brilliantly boxed to a majority decision in California.
It sparked hope the visiting underdog could deservedly get the nod in a close contest against the home favourite.
TYSON FURY vs Wladimir Klitschko, 2015
Fury travelled to Klitschko’s adopted home of Germany as his mandatory challenger but a 3/1 outsider.
It turned out to be the Gypsy King’s coming out party as he outboxed and bemused the Ukrainian legend to win on points.
Fury ended Klitschko’s long-reign as heavyweight ruler and blew out the myth he could not be outpointed in Germany.
For many it was the last time Fury was ever doubted, but only the start of things to come when the masterful tactician hit the road.
TYSON FURY vs Deontay Wilder, 2020
Fury was denied a remarkable win in Los Angeles in 2018, as he outboxed Wilder but was twice dropped to contentiously only receive a draw.
But after switching his style to go on the offensive, he dominated the rematch, flooring Wilder twice before winning in round seven.
And while maybe not an underdog, going into the champion’s backyard and absolutely bossing the action will live long in the history books.
Fury was the last British heavyweight since Lennox Lewis in 2001 to win a world title in America.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
