Billy Joe Saunders vs Canelo could happen on Cinco de Mayo 2020, according to Eddie Hearn
In an interview with iFL TV, Eddie Hearn and newest signing Billy Joe Saunders (28-0) stood side by side as the Matchroom Boxing promoter talked about a ‘monster fight’ for BJS in 2020.
Hearn said excitedly, “Get this win and I can’t wait for 2020!”
Saunders defends his WBO super-middleweight title for the first time at the Staples Center in LA on November 9 on the undercard of the controversial YouTubers event featuring headliners KSI and Logan Paul.
Ahead of a press conference this week, Matchroom’s Hearn stated, “I’m gonna’ call this now, I believe he’ll get the Canelo fight on Cinco de Mayo. I do believe that.”
He continued to comment, “We’ve got the three fighters that I believe that a lot of people don’t want to fight – Billy, Callum [Smith], Demetrius [Andrade]. So, if they don’t get those big fights then they’ll fight each other.”
Canelo (52-1-2) next faces Sergey Kovalev (34-3-1) for the Russian’s WBO world light-heavyweight title in a bid to become a four-weight world champion.
The Mexican is significantly smaller than the six-foot-tall former unified champion, but Saunders doesn’t believe that will matter.
“Kovalev is past is sell by date, he’s a bigger version of Golovkin, but more slower. He’s only got that piercing jab, he hasn’t got as much pressure as Golovkin. He hasn’t lived the life as good as Golovkin, it’s no secret he likes a drink and I think it’s the right time.”
Billy Joe Saunders confirmed they are looking at three potential opponents for his next fight on November 9 in LA but it’s not Gabriel Rosado (24-12-1), Fedor Chudinov (21-2) or Maciej Sulecki (28-2), despite speculation.
Hearn then gave a very small insight into who his newest signing could be defending his title to next, “I’d like an American,” he said. “Obviously he’s fighting in America and I think it makes sense – England v America.”
Unbeaten Nebraskan Steven Nelson (15-0) is ranked in the top 15 with the World Boxing Organisation, but other potential opponents have been hazarded as James DeGale conqueror Caleb Truax (30-4-2); Mike Gavronski (26-3-1); former George Groves victim Dennis Douglin (22-6); and Peter Quillan (34-2-1), who narrowly lost just last weekend to Alfredo Angulo (26-7).
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has fought on Cinco de Mayo weekend for the past four years, starting with his third-round KO of James Kirkland in 2015. The Mexican superstar defeated Daniel Jacobs by UD on May 5 this year, fellow Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez Jr by UD on the same weekend last year, and Amir Khan by a brutal sixth-round KO in 2016.
If Eddie Hearn’s prediction comes true, then 2020 Cinco de Mayo will see Canelo face Billy Joe Saunders in what will be the biggest fight of the North Londoner’s entire boxing career and one that will define his legacy forever.
Cinco de Mayo Facts
It is called ‘El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla’, which means ‘The Day of the Battle of Puebla’.
Cinco de Mayo is on May 5 but it’s not Mexico’s Independence Day. That actually falls on September 16 when it gained its independence from the Spanish colonial government in 1810.
Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s celebration of the country’s surprising victory over France at the 1862 Battle of Puebla. It was thought the French would win with ease, who were there to collect on war debts.
The celebration is bigger in America than it is in Mexico, partly due to the US beer companies targeting the Spanish-speaking population during the 1970’s and 80’s, and also as a celebration of Mexican-American culture.
Aside from alcohol, a crazy amount of avocados are consumed on the clebratory weekend, over 81 millions pounds worth, according to Forbes.