Billy Joe Saunders
Billy Joe Saunders
Billy Joe Saundersis a British professional boxer. He is the current WBO middleweight champion, having previously held the European, British and Commonwealth middleweight titles. As an amateur he represented Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionAthlete
Date of Birth30 August 1989
people previous rounds
People are starting to see that now and I've learnt more from those 10 rounds than I have in my previous 10 fights.
best business
I'm one of the best finishers in the business, so I went for it.
believe next shot title
I'm fighting for the Commonwealth title on Saturday and I believe I'll be ready for a world title shot in the next 18 months.
competing won
I was only 18 and I'd be 22 if I was competing at London. I'm stronger and more experienced and I know I would have won gold.
great next title
I'd always said that I'd like to have a title by the next Olympics, so this is a great opportunity, and could be the start of my climb to a world title.
beat beaten beijing chance good guy three weeks
I had a good chance when I went to Beijing and the guy who beat me, I'd beaten him three weeks before and he went on to win silver.
cycle warren
But my promoter Frank Warren knows what he is doing, and has been through this cycle many times with other fighters.
fighting two months
I've had two fights within a month and I can't ask for more than that.
building-up boxing buzz
There's such a big buzz around boxing at the moment. Everything's happening and there's so much building up with a lot of young talent coming through.
skills class looks
You've got to look and pick your shots - and that's where your class and skill comes out.
moving challenges levels
But as an amateur, the highest level you can box at is the Olympics. I did that at 18 and felt it was time to move on to other challenges as a professional.
winning world want
The Commonwealth is one of three belts I want to win before going for a world title.
fighting royal halls
It is an honour to fight at the Royal Albert Hall.
patient trainers frank
My trainer Jimmy Tibbs and my promoter Frank Warren told me that I had to be patient and get the jab going.