Billy Joe Saunders Admits ‘Better Man’ Canelo Alvarez Won But Denies Quitting
Even Billy Joe Saunders can admit Canelo Alvarez was the better man.
Saunders suffered an eighth-round TKO defeat to Alvarez in their May super middleweight title unification clash.
Alvarez notably hurt Saunders in the eighth round with an uppercut that fractured the Briton’s orbital bone.
Saunders did well to survive the round, but the fight was ultimately stopped thanks to his corner. Reflecting on the fight a couple of months since, Saunders could only praise the Mexican — even though many felt he did extremely well against Alvarez.
“I got beat by the better man on the night,” Saunders told iFL TV (via Michael Benson). “People can say, ‘You were up, we had you level,’ but the main thing is winning and Canelo won… He’s a great fighter, I take my hat off to him. On that night, the better man won.”
Of course, Saunders received criticism with some accusing him of quitting. That was especially the case given Saunders said the same about Daniel Dubois.
There is one key difference, however.
“If I wanted to go down on one knee with a broken eye socket, it could’ve easily been done,” Saunders said. “I went over a minute and still carried on… Anybody who knows me personally knows that’s not in me, ever.
“… Daniel is a young, hungry, good fighter. I like him. Daniel made his own decision. I didn’t make my own decision. My corner made my decision… He’ll come again and be world champion.”
