With disputes over ring size looking to have been finally put to bed, having nearly derailed fight week completely, we can finally start to get excited for Billy Joe Saunders and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez's epic showdown in Texas this weekend.
Ahead of the much-anticipated super-middleweight unification bout, Saunders’ trainer Mark Tibbs told the Betfred Boxing Show that we’ll see the best of the unbeaten 31-year-old when he squares off with the Mexican superstar at the AT&T Stadium on Saturday night.
“It’s been a very, very long time but it’s been a worthy two camps to tell you the truth. The Martin Murray camp [Saunders last fight in December] was like a pre-prep for this occasion on Saturday night, so it’s been about six months in total, but it's going to worth it I’m sure
“I’m happy with the way everything’s going, and gone and it is right now.”
Many believe that the Briton will offer Canelo, 30, one of the toughest nights of his 58-fight career but Tibbs says it isn’t so much about exploiting the pound-for-pound star’s weaknesses but instead bringing the best out of his charge.
“It ain’t so much about chinks in the armour but what there was of Billy Joe Saunders to bring out and with a guy like Canelo in front of him, you’re going to see the best of Billy Joe Saunders.
“They’re both phenomenal fighters with phenomenal careers, from their teenage years right up until today, they’ve hit pain barriers after pain barriers and gone through the systems, and they’re at the top of their game - this is the best fighting the best, one million per cent
“Matchroom are bringing it to the table here in Dallas, Texas on Saturday night. Boxing fans can’t ask for better than that. It’s going to be a wonderful, great event and we’ve got every chance of pulling off this job.”
For obvious reasons Tibbs didn’t go into too much detail about Saturday night’s game plan but says Billy’s boxing brain will play a big part in whether they can pull off the upset.
“It’s like a matador and bull scenario. Billy’s equipped in all areas of the fighting business. His main asset in this fight is this brain here, his fighting IQ - I’m pretty confident he won’t forget that and if the time arises, he knows when to plant his feet but you’ll have to wait and see.”
