Boxing

BILLY JOE SAUNDERS’ showdown with pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez is OFF, according to his dad Tom.Team Saunders revealed on Tuesday they were willing to pull the plug on Saturday night’s eagerly-anticipated super-middleweight title unification bout due to a dispute over the size of the ring.
Billy Joe Saunders is scheduled to face Canelo Alvarez this weekend
Billy Joe Saunders’ clash with Canelo is set to take place at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, TexasCredit: GETTY
Saunders and his camp want the Dallas dust-up to take place in a 24ft ring, but the one currently set to be used measures in at just 20ft.
Negotiations between the two camps have gone sour, prompting the Welwyn warrior’s dad to declare the fight at Cowboys Stadium dead in the water.
He told iFL TV: “There’s nothing in the contract about ring size.
“Negotiations have broke down… They’ve said it’s either 20ft or book your flights home.
“The fight’s off.”
Team Saunders believe a smaller ring gives a significant advantage to power puncher Canelo, who has struggled with slick southpaws in the past.
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🔥 CANELO V SAUNDERS NEWS 🔥
🥊 WHO YA GOT? Pundits make their predictions
🥊 CLEAN BILL BJS’s amazing body transformation
🥊 HOME WORK Canelo’s humble beginning
How Canelo and Saunders compare ahead of their bout
🥊 CANELO V SAUNDERS TV, live stream and start time info ahead of the big fight
Earlier this week, Billy Joe’s old man told iFL TV: “There are a few issues we’re not happy about that we got to get sorted out.
“That’s the size of the ring. Matchroom wants us to box in an 18-foot ring, and then they come back with a 20-foot ring. It was supposed to be a 24-foot ring.
“Then we’ve compromised with no smaller than a 22-foot ring.
“MTK is on it, and they’re all over it now. Hopefully, that’ll sort it out, and I’m sure it will be.
“For Matchroom to want Billy Joe to box in an 18-foot in the ring, that’s an amateur ring.
Billy Joe Saunders was last in action in December against Martin MurrayCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
“It seems to me in an 18 to 20-foot ring, they’re trying to take Billy Joe’s advantage away from him, and we haven’t got many advantages here.
“We’re up against everything. Eddie Hearn has delivered this fight, but at what cost?
“He’s not working with us.
“He’s working against us in every opportunity. Matchroom need to pull their finger out, otherwise we will be coming home.
“I want the fight to happen, Billy Joe wants the fight to happen, but we will not budge on this.”

The fleet-footed Saunders – who has bamboozled all 30 of his professional opponents with his fleet-footedness – called for a swift resolution to ensure the fight is on a ‘fair playing field.’
He told Behind the Gloves: “There’s one or two small things now.
“One of those small things and when I say small is the ring. I’ve left it to my team. I let them sort out all of that rubbish. 
‘”You don’t go in a 70,000 seat stadium with hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of feet long and dance in a 16-foot ring or an 18-foot ring or even a 20-foot ring.
“This magnitude of fight has to be on a fair playing field.”
Billy Joe Saunders threatens to withdraw from Canelo Alvarez fight over size of ‘phonebox’ ring More

BOXING legend Lennox Lewis says he is not surprised Jake Paul’s stunning KO of Ben Askren was illegally streamed.Promoters of the fight, Triller, have launched a massive lawsuit claiming £72million in damages.
Lennox Lewis is not surprised the Jake Paul vs Ben Askren fight was widely streamed illegallyCredit: The Sun

Promotions team Triller are suing 11 streamers of the Paul vs Askren fightCredit: Getty
The pay-per-view fight was legally bought by 1.5m fans.
That placed it in the top ten for the all-time list of PPV boxing bouts.
And Paul claimed he raked in a staggering £54m from those buys alone.
But as reported by Yahoo, the social media company have filed a legal challenge in California against 11 streamers who allegedly broadcast the card to a reported 2m people.
Lewis, who is in talks to fight Mike Tyson in an exhibition in September, tweeted his thoughts on the matter.
The 55-year-old Londoner wrote: “What did they expect?. The majority of the marketing was on social media targeting teenagers.
“Do teenagers really have $50 for PPV?”
A Triller statement said: “It’s shocking to think a theft so grand can be done so blatantly and brazenly and steal with no remorse.
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“There is zero difference between what they did and walking into a market stealing tons of a product and selling it at a discount in the parking lot.
“It’s neither civilly nor criminally any different and we are prosecuting to the fullest extent of the law.
“There were far over 2m illegal streams, akin to hundreds of millions of dollars.
“Sites, mostly using Google’s YouTube, are causing significant damage not just to Fight Club but content creators overall.”
The YouTuber made light work of the ex-wrestler with an early knockout.
Paul, who has now called out Love Island star and Tyson Fury’s brother Tommy, landed a simple one-two over the top and left the retired UFC fighter unable to continue in the eyes of the referee.
Mike Tyson calls out Tyson Fury, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis for mouthwatering exhibition fights More

TYSON FURY has put aside his rivalry with Dillian Whyte after getting wind of The Body Snatcher’s support for Billy Joe Saunders.Welwyn warrior Saunders is just days away from a super-middleweight title unification fight with pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez.
Billy Joe Saunders will look to unify the super-middleweight titles against Canelo this weekendCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING
Tyson Fury praised Dillian Whyte for backing Billy Joe Saunders to beat Canelo this weekend
Despite Saunders being the clear underdog, fan favourite Whyte has backed the WBO 168lb champ to spring a huge upset in the Dallas dust-up.
And upon getting wind of Whyte’s backing of Saunders, WBC heavyweight champ Fury was quick to praise his divisional rival.
He wrote on his Instagram story: “Go on Dillion man.”
Whyte’s unwavering support for Saunders stems from the pair both being Brits.
The 33-year-old told iFL TV: “I’m gonna support my countryman.
“That’s like Billy Joe Saunders fighting Canelo. I don’t care what they have to say or what they think.
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🔥 CANELO V SAUNDERS NEWS 🔥
🥊 WHO YA GOT? Pundits make their predictions
🥊 CLEAN BILL BJS’s amazing body transformation
🥊 HOME WORK Canelo’s humble beginning
How Canelo and Saunders compare ahead of their bout
🥊 CANELO V SAUNDERS TV, live stream and start time info ahead of the big fight
“I’m back Billy Joe Saunders to beat Canelo one million per cent to beat Canelo because he’s my countryman.
“Do you understand? That’s who I am.”
Saunders faces perhaps arguably the most difficult task in boxing at Cowboys Stadium, where he hopes to permanently etch his name into the history books.
The undefeated Saunders, 31, told The Daily Telegraph: “This fight is for all the marbles.
“This one we go country for country, countrymen for countrymen.

“I know when I go to Texas I’ll have 70,000 Mexicans screaming. But the Gypsies are coming out in force.
“The English, the Irish, the Scots – you name it they will be there. I’ll be flying that Gypsy flag very high for every one of them.
“I’m not just doing this for me and my family, I’m doing it for them as well.
“Victory will mean one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, I believe. Certainly in the last 20 years.
“He’s beaten six Brits already. Unlucky number seven for him, lucky number seven for me. I believe this is meant to be.”
Billy Joe Saunders is not happy that Eddie Hearn is making plans assuming Canelo Alvarez will beat him in Dallas dust-up More

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.
Billy Joe Saunders ahead of his fight with Canelo AlvarezCredit: Instagram / @gypsyking101
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.
Lloyd Honeyghan famously beat Don Curry in 1986Credit: Allsport – Getty
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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.
Nigel Benn beat Doug DeWitt in 1990Credit: Getty – Contributor
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.
Naseem Hamed emerged victorious against Kevin Kelley in 1997Credit: Getty
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.
Bernard Hopkins was beaten by Joe Calzaghe in 2008Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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.
Shawn Porter was beaten by Kell Brook in 2014Credit: AP:Associated Press
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 dethroned Wladimir Klitschko in 2015Credit: Getty – Contributor
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.
Tyson Fury stopped Deontay Wilder in round sevenCredit: Getty More

JAKE PAUL has vowed to expose Tommy Fury ‘as a terrible fighter very soon’ and blasted the ‘spoonfed reality TV star’. YouTuber Paul and Love Island’s Fury both have a huge profile and following outside of their fighting careers.
Jake Paul has vowed to expose Tommy Fury ‘as a terrible fighter’
Tommy Fury and Jake Paul have been feuding onlineCredit: Round ‘N’ Bout Media
For Fury, half-brother to WBC champion Tyson, it began with boxing before he entered ITV’s hit-series in the summer of 2019.
Paul meanwhile is a social media megastar but has had three professional wins all by knockout since turning over in January 2020.
It was unbeaten heavyweight Tyson, 32, who started the online feud between the celebrities as he called for them to fight.
And Paul, 24, confirmed his intentions to face Fury, 21, in the near future and kickstarted the fighting talk.
In an exclusive interview with SunSport, he said: “I think we will see it soon.
“I want to make fights happen and make history and Tommy Fury is a spoonfed, reality TV star who has lived in his brother’s shadow this whole entire time.
“I’m going to expose him as a terrible fighter, very soon, very soon.
“Man, this is fun. I’m just having fun and there’s so many people to fight, there’s a long list and it just keeps getting longer.”

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Paul beat YouTube rival ‘AnEsonGib’ in his first fight before brutally stopping ex-NBA player Nate Robinson and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, both 36, afterwards.
Light-heavyweight Fury is 5-0 since his 2018 debut but has so far only boxed journeyman opponents.
Along with brother Tyson, dad and coach John as well as promoter Frank Warren have all given him the green-light to fight Paul.
But he joins a long queue in those calling out the internet sensation, who sold 1.5million pay-per-views in April.
Paul wants to keep the UFC rivalry alive and has already been challenged by ex-champions Tyron Woodley, 39, and Daniel Cormier, 42.
John Fury with his son Tommy FuryCredit: Rex
Ben Askren was knocked out by Jake Paul in one roundCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The American is already in negotiations with a variety of potential opponents and teased a massive return fight should he get it over the line.
Paul said: “There’s a lot of guys. We’re in talks with a lot of different opponents and seeing who can get let out their UFC contracts.
“Seeing who has what obligations and figuring out a date.
“I’m not able to say names but when the deal gets done with one of these names, people are going to be blown away and shocked.
“It looks like we’re going to be busy over the next couple of years.”

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BILLY JOE SAUNDERS has threatened to quit Saturday’s super-fight with Canelo over the size of the ring.England’s 31-year-old WBO super-middleweight champion has flown to Texas to take on Mexico’s WBC, WBA and pound-for-pound king in his backyard in front of 70,000 of his fans.
Billy Joe Saunders has threatened to pull out of his fight against Canelo Alvarez because of a ‘phonebox’ ring
Saunders cannot believe they want to put such a small ring in a huge arena
And the up-against-it southpaw insists he has just been told the ring has been cut down from the 24x24ft space he was promised to an 18×18 ‘phonebox’ that plays right into the powerhouse’s heavy hands.
The 30-0 Hatfield ace told talkSPORT: “The problem is I’ve come over here and they’re trying to chuck me in a phonebox of a boxing ring.
“The stadium is hundreds and hundreds of feet long and they wanna stick an 18ft ring in the middle of it.
“For me, that’s just unacceptable. I want a 24ft ring and they’re saying it’s not gonna happen.
“I’ve left it to my team and I’m sure they’ll resolve it, otherwise there won’t be any fight.”
Saunders refused to take the big-money fight on five weeks’ notice at the end of last year – allowing fellow Brit Callum Smith to step in and lose – and instead spent ten weeks away from his young family training in Fuerteventura to be at his best for this weekend.
Under trainer Mark Tibbs he says he has spent the whole time preparing for a large ring to best utilise his brilliant footwork and avoid the 30-year-old’s brutal blows.
And he insists he will not bow down to the biggest draw in boxing and accept unfair terms just for a life-changing pay cheque.
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🔥 CANELO V SAUNDERS NEWS 🔥
🥊 WHO YA GOT? Pundits make their predictions
🥊 CLEAN BILL BJS’s amazing body transformation
🥊 HOME WORK Canelo’s humble beginning
How Canelo and Saunders compare ahead of their bout
🥊 CANELO V SAUNDERS TV, live stream and start time info ahead of the big fight
Canelo Alvarez will once again be looking to destroy a Brit’s hopes

“I’ve been training all of my camp in a 24ft ring.
“It’s like someone training on a 200m running track and someone training on a 400m running track, there’s a big difference.
“We all know his style of fighting, anybody who knows boxing knows how I’ve got this fight playing out in my head.
“And he’s got his own style of fighting and his game plan and I know his game plan.
“His game plan’s not waiting around, his game plan is coming to me and I want somewhere where I can move and get my boxing off.”
Tyson Fury faced a similar problem in 2015 when he went to Germany to face Wladimir Klitschko and threw his support behind his fellow Traveller.
Tyson Fury has backed his mate Saunders to spring a huge shockCredit: Instagram / @gypsyking101
The Gypsy King was happy with the 24×24 ring he found in Dusseldorf but threatened to fly home when extra thick padding was found under the canvas, which would have seriously hampered his masterful movement.
The 6ft 9in WBC champion won the row and had the ring ripped up before bamboozling the ten-year champion.
And he has called on the Texas commission and promoter Eddie Hearn to give his pal a fair shake.
“I’ve just got off the phone to Billy Joe and it seems they are trying a lot of tricks over here in Texas with him,” he said from his Las Vegas camp.
“I just want to say, you can try all the tricks in the m***** f***ing* world but you ain’t going to beat Billy Joe.
“Play fair guys, play f***ing fair now”.
Tyson Fury brands Eddie Hearn a ‘w***er’ and claims Matchroom promoter favours Canelo Alvarez to Billy Joe Saunders More

STRONGMAN Eddie ‘The Beast’ Hall has called out Jake Paul for a boxing fight.The 2017 World’s Strongest Man is set to box fellow giant Hafthor Bjornsson, who played Thor in Game Of Thrones, later this year.
Eddie Hall fancies a fight against YouTuber Jake Paul
Paul is undefeated as a professional – but hasn’t fought a proper boxer yet
But once that grudge match is settled, Hall is not averse to meeting YouTuber-come-pro boxer Paul in the squared circle.
But he want’s £5million to do it.
Hall weighs just over 25st, with Paul over 11 STONE lighter at 13st 10lbs.
Speaking on his own YouTube channel, Hall said: “I would [fight Jake Paul] actually.
“He’s actually surprised a lot of people, a lot of people laughed at Jake Paul.
“But he came out of the woodwork, he’s obviously trained very hard and he’s smashed his first victims in the ring, and he’s lined up a few more.
“Massive size difference, but there is between me and Thor, and Mike Tyson is living proof that size doesn’t really matter in the ring.
“It’s about what you do in there, how fast you are, how powerful and agile you are. That’s what matters.
“So if the money is right, I would 100 per cent fight Jake Paul. Why not? Good exposure for me, good exposure for him, and earn a few quid in doing so.
“I would probably want five minimum, £5million. So yeah, I’d fight Jake Paul for £5m. So Jake Paul bro, let’s get it on after Thor, eh?”
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But Hall might have to join the queue to fight the social media sensation.
Paul, who has knocked out all three of his opponents since turning pro, has called out fighters from all sports.
Boxer Tommy Fury as well as UFC stars Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington and Dillon Danis have all been the subject of his ambition recently.

Eddie Hall shows off explosive power in boxing training before undergoing cupping and cryotherapy treatment More