Billy Joe Saunders reveals 'heavy talks' for Chris Eubank Jr rematch and confirms '100 per cent' plan to return to boxing

02/09/2024 14:20

Billy Joe Saunders could rematch Chris Eubank Jr as part of his plan to return to boxing.

Saunders has taken a three-year hiatus from the sport since suffering a fractured orbital in a brutal defeat to Canelo Alvarez in 2021.

Noise has regularly gained traction over a potential comeback, with bitter rival Eubank Jr having regularly issued call-outs to a potential sequel.

Saunders famously beat his rival by split decision in their tight 2014 encounter, and has revealed talks are back underway for their conflict to be renewed.

He told talkSPORT Fight Night: “I’ll be honest I was in heavy talks with Eubank’s manager a few weeks ago. Heavy talks.

“I’ve actually got a lawyer at the moment just going through a few bits. But I obviously need to get myself motivated to get a comeback fight and then build in to that big night.

“Obviously it’s also for the fans to see because I believe if you take out the heavyweights and the domestic British level, it don’t get much bigger than myself and Eubank.

“We’ve had it before and there’s loads of water that’s gone underneath the bridge. It’s no secret that I don’t like him on a personal note and he doesn’t like me on a personal note.

“It’s just how it is. We don’t really get on. And I think the fans will enjoy the build-up and enjoy the fight.”

A showdown between Saunders and Eubank Jr would likely generate huge interest, given their verbal clashes in the past.

It is an all-British rivalry that captivated the boxing world in the previous era, and would certainly be intriguing if the pair were to touch gloves again.

Eubank Jr himself is only just making a return to the ring, taking on Kamil Szeremeta next month, in his first fight since avenging defeat to Liam Smith last year.

Saunders himself has shown brief glimpses of him training hitting the pads in recent years, teasing a potential return.

Earlier this year, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn had revealed that he has held talks with Saunders regarding a revival of his career.

And Saunders has insisted his plan is to return to the sport despite the lengthy delay.

He continued: “Most definitely, 100 per cent [he will return]. I used to think to myself when I was in the game, ‘Oh, I can’t wait to get out of the game.’

“I thought, ‘I can’t wait to do what I’ve got to do, have these big nights and then get out of it.’ But when you are out of it, you’re never out of it in your mind.

“It’s never out of my mind every day that goes past. So I’ve clearly got something to get out somewhere and I’ll be honest, I would like to go out on a win.

“If I am gonna go, ‘Right that’s enough,’ then I would like to go out on a win. It’s been, what? Three years? But it’s one of them where I’m always down Ben Davison’s gym, I always pop in, watch the lads spar, go and do a little session.

“It’s always itchy knuckles and I just need really to blow the cobwebs off and get it out of my system.”