Frank Warren says 'big fights' could be on the horizon for Billy Joe Saunders

Frank Warren has dangled a carrot in front of Billy Joe Saunders by revealing big fight opportunities are awaiting him if he can get himself back to full fighting fitness.

The two-weight world champion has dropped hints in recent weeks that he could make a return to the ring sooner rather than later, having been absent from the sport since his loss to Canelo Alvarez four years ago.

The 35-year-old had previously captured world titles at both middleweight and super-middleweight before being stopped by the Mexican pound-for-pound superstar in Arlington, Texas, in May 2021.

It had appeared as though he had called time on his career having shown little interest in returning since then, however, after featuring as part of Conor Benn's entourage for his fiery showdown with Chris Eubank Jr in April, it appears as though a return could yet still be in the offing.

Billy Joe has held a long-term personal and business relationship esteemed promoter Frank Warren, and the Queensberry supremo has hinted that glamorous opportunities await the Hertfordshire star if he can get himself back into shape.

"We've spoken, of course, and he said he’s in the gym and he’s training and that’s how we left it," he told Boxing Social.

We will see how it goes with his training and the weight and so forth, if he wants it then we can discuss things.

- Frank Warren (Boxing Social)

"He knows where I am and we’ve had exploratory talks, so we’ll see where we go from there, but there’s a couple of big fights for him, there’s no doubt about that."

Billy Joe has spoken in the past of reacquainting himself inside the ring with Eubank Jr for a second time having previously beaten the Brighton man over a decade ago.

He secured a tightly contested split-decision victory to retain British, European and Commonwealth gold at London's ExCel Arena in November 2014, and would likely jump at the chance to share the stage with the BOXXER star for a second time.

Whilst Warren was hesitant not to reveal too much about the discussions he has held with Billy Joe, he did hint at the possibility of that long-mooted rematch.

"Look, as I say, we've had talks and a few names have cropped up - let's just say that fight (Eubank Jr) would be a really interested one."

To add further intrigue to the narrative, Eubank Jr, who is still expected to agree a money-spinning rematch with Benn later this year, recently name-dropped Billy Joe as one of his three dream opponents.

"I feel like the demand for this Conor Benn fight is at an all-time high right now so I feel like that would be the fight to make next," he said.

"Then you have Canelo - that is a fight that I’ve been wanting for years and I would love to share the ring with that man. And then we could throw Billy Joe Saunders in at the end."

Mark Mothershaw

• Queensberry
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