Billy Joe Saunders says Chris Eubank Jr is “irrelevant” to him and has dismissed his rival’s ambitions of becoming world champion in future.
WBO Super Middleweight champion, Saunders tackles pound-for-pound star and unified WBC and WBA ‘Super’ titlist Canelo Alvarez in an eagerly-aniticipated unification clash at the AT & T Stadium in Texas on May 8.
Eubank Jr, 31, who was edged in a split decision loss to his compatriot in 2014, recently gave his prediction for the fight, anticipating the Mexican to inflict a first defeat on the Brit by stoppage and said he was willing to bet £10k on that outcome.
“I don’t really feel like Saunders has improved since he last fought me,” Eubank Jr told talkSPORT.
“I think he is the same guy. I am levels and levels above what I was when I first got into the ring with Saunders.
“I feel like he is the same guy and that guy can’t beat somebody like Canelo.
“Saunders is going to get hurt. I’m going to be putting a £10,000 bet on Canelo to knock Saunders out.”
Saunders, who is finishing his camp in Las Vegas has since responded to Eubank’s comments and has welcomed his rival to spend the money on a ringside ticket for his fight.
‘Next Gen’ who has linked up with former four-weight world champion, Roy Jones Jr faces Marcus Morrison on the undercard of Derek Chisora’s showdown with Joseph Parker on May 1 and is ranked as the number one contender to WBA Middleweight holder, Ryota Murata, however Saunders does not believe he will become a world champion.
“He’s really irrelevant to me,” the 31-year-old told Behind The Gloves.
“The closest he’s going to get to a fight like this is to go and buy a ticket, sat ringside if you really want, go and spend your £10k.
“He’s probably getting about £10k to box Marcus Morrison.
“So spend that money on a ringside ticket but that’s the closest he’s going to get to an Alvarez fight, because he’s just not good enough.
“He’s 31 now and he’s not world champion. I’ve always said it he’ll never be world champion, ever.
“He hasn’t got the boxing brain, the guidance within himself to be world champion.”
Alvarez, 30, who secured the vacant WBC belt and ripped away the WBA title from Callum Smith in December, stopped mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim in three rounds in February, extending his unbeaten run to 14 since a sole loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2013.
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However, Saunders who defended his crown against Martin Murray in December believes he is capable of producing a stunning upset.
“I believe I am the only one with the footwork, know-how, skillset, mindset, and brain to unlock that door in Canelo,” Saunders said to MTK Global.
“He’s the main man in the sport and the face of boxing. You have to give him respect; he hasn’t ducked anyone, he’s beaten good names, but nobody is unbeatable, and I believe I have got the tools to beat him if I use them properly and if the gamelan comes off that I believe works.”
