Billy Joe Saunders Pushing For Canelo Alvarez Fight, Believes He Has The ‘Tools’ To Win

Billy Joe Saunders is hoping to be the one that gets to face Canelo Alvarez next.

Alvarez became the WBA and WBC super-middleweight champion on Saturday night after comfortably outpointing Callum Smith over 12 rounds.

Saunders, meanwhile, defended his WBO super-middleweight title earlier this month against Martin Murray and is looking to face Alvarez in a highly-anticipated title unification clash.

The pair have been slated to fight each other as far back as their middleweight days a couple of years ago and Saunders claims he is now pushing ‘very hard’ to fight the pound-for-pound king next.

“We’re pushing very hard for the Canelo fight,” Saunders told IFL TV (via BoxingNews24). “I’ve texted Eddie [Hearn]. I believe in my heart that I have the tools to beat Canelo. I need to be prepared to be that man and I will. I’m waiting for the chance.

“If not, then obviously to the next step. I won’t be waiting around long. Before the next two weeks, the fight needs to be in strong talks and sealed or I’ll move on. I’ll be on the phone trying to get this fight made.

“I’m missing that big defining fight, and I think you’ll see the best of me. I’ve never been in the ring and not find a way [to win]. Hopefully, the fight can get made now. There is no bigger fight that can be made at the weight.”

As for how he would beat Alvarez, Saunders believes one requires more than just a boxing brain. They also require the necessary graft.

“There’s a couple of little things I’d like to try different [against Canelo compared to what Callum did],” Saunders said. “… I think that’s what you have to have to beat Canelo Alvarez. You have to have more than a boxing brain. You have to have that graft around you.

“It’s a good fight and it’s one that should happen. It’s a unification and one of the biggest fights out there. I believe on my night, I have every tool in the box to beat Canelo Alvarez.

“If I wanted to get my money [against Canelo], I could have gotten it a couple of times. It’s not just about the money. The money comes with that. I just feel that I have the beating of him.”

Saunders hasn’t had the best performances of late but is still unbeaten with many observers previously earmarking him as the one who can defeat Alvarez.

Perhaps the massive step up in competition will bring out the best of the Briton?

Do you think Saunders can defeat Alvarez?