Billy Joe Saunders dishes on Canelo, 2021 hopes, and sex

Super middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders talked to the press going into his fight with Martin Murray. He talked about a lot more than his fight.

WBO super middleweight boxing champion Billy Joe Saunders hasn’t fought in over a year, but he’s gearing up for his Dec. 4 return against Martin Murray. Saunders addressed the media before his fight and had a lot more on his mind other than the fight.

Saunders won the WBO title in 2019 with a unanimous decision win over Shefat Isufi. He defended it once in a lackluster performance against Marcelo Esteban Coceres but did end the fight by knocking out Coceres in round 11.

Saunders’ name was mentioned in connection with Canelo Alvarez during the summer, but a potential bout fell apart after Saunders pulled his name out of consideration. He stated that the lockdown didn’t allow him to sufficiently prepare for a fight with Alvarez, as first reported by The Athletic in July.

Alvarez fights WBA champion Callum Smith on Dec. 19, but Saunders discussed his rationale for cutting off talks with Alvarez during a Nov. 30 media call.

“They didn’t ring up,” said Saunders. “They didn’t try to get in contact, so clearly they didn’t want me. For me to fight Canelo Alvarez, in lockdown, they sort of called me out a little bit. The fight would never have happened anyway because he had his lawsuit. I wasn’t prepared to go in there and take millions of pounds and turn up there half-hearted and half in shape. To beat someone like him, you have to win convincingly.”

Billy Joe Saunders was unfiltered when talking to the media before his fight with Martin Murray

Saunders’ explanation makes sense. Alvarez went on to sue promoter Golden Boy and DAZN to be released from his contract. Alvarez negotiated with both parties and is now free from his prior contracts.

Saunders’ opponent Murray briefly held the interim WBA middleweight title in 2012 but lost a series of fights, which stunted his career. At 38 years old, this will likely be Murray’s last chance to win another world title.

Saunders has a reputation for openly speaking his mind, which isn’t always a good thing. However, Saunders was in rare form with the media and gave some humorous quotes.

When asked about how he spent his time during the pandemic, Saunders responded, “Also what I’ve been doing is plenty of sex, to be honest with you. I’ve been having plenty of sex and just training, really. That’s the main thing that got me through lockdown was the sex.”

Many boxers abstain from physical intimacy before fights, but not Saunders.

“When you do the sex in and on the woods, like when you’re putting your leg over the trees and under the trees and under the bushes, different positions, and stuff like that, that’s a workout,” said Saunders. “And you’re having fun. That’s called a fun workout.”

In terms of boxing, Saunders is looking towards his management group MTK Global to secure a unification bout in 2021. He also wants to stay active in the ring.

“Certainly, I want to be active,” Saunders told FanSided. “And that’s the reason I’m fighting Friday night because If I was worried about that, I would of went, no, I’ll wait to 2021. I need to get active to be in the running for these fights and get the rounds in and sharpen the tools, and grease, and chains, and stuff like that.”

Saunders added, “I want [it] to be at least three times, and that’s at least, minimum three [fights].”

Saunders seems upbeat and determined to make 2021 his year, but he needs to look good against Murray to get the big fights he desires. You can watch Saunders and Murray do battle on Friday, Dec. 4., exclusively on DAZN. Coverage begins at 2 p.m. ET.