Former two-weight world champion Billy Joe Saunders vows to settle his fierce and bitter rivalry with Chris Eubank Jr when he returns to the ring.
The 35-year-old walked away from boxing after losing his WBO strap to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in a punishing eighth-round stoppage defeat back in 2021.
Before that, the slick southpaw made three successful defences of his middleweight crown following one of his most scintillating performances to dethrone Andy Lee.
But now, Saunders looks to make his long-awaited comeback, targeting Chris Eubank Jr who will face obscure opponent Kamil Szeremeta in October.
Billy Joe Saunders teases comeback fight against Chris Eubank Jr
Since their first encounter back in 2014 – when Saunders secured a unanimous decision victory – Eubank Jr has fallen short of his only shot at a world title, losing to George Groves on points despite a brave performance.
Meanwhile, Saunders has been bested just once as a professional and hopes to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later.
Speaking to BoxNation, he said: “It’s very simple – I’d like to go out on a win. I’m certainly not officially retired. When someone’s putting a lot of money on the table, and they’re putting a calibre of opponent on the table that’s well beatable, you’re certainly going to entertain it.
“With myself and Eubank Jr, who’s the one I will be in contact with if things continue moving the way they are, it’s a big fight for the British fans to be missing out on, so I’ll give it to them.
“I’m not fighting no world beater; I’m fighting a broken down, European level fighter. So it’s silly not to, really.”
Billy Joe Saunders names Chris Eubank Jr’s best win
Eubank Jr comes off a dominant tenth-round stoppage victory over former world champion Liam Smith, after losing to the Liverpudlian in a shock upset last year.
Nevertheless, the win has put the 34-year-old’s name back into the conversation for a world title shot despite his lack of activity in recent years.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| September, 2023 | Liam Smith | Stoppage victory |
| January, 2023 | Liam Smith | Stoppage defeat |
| February, 2022 | Liam Williams | Stoppage victory |
While two of Eubank Jr’s most impressive wins came against Smith and Liam Williams, Saunders has opined, in his interview with BoxNation, that Nick Blackwell is the best name on his resume.
It was more than eight years ago, in fact, when Eubank Jr claimed the British title with a tenth-round stoppage over Blackwell, suggesting that Saunders remains unimpressed with the Brit’s accomplishments since then.