Beterbiev And Billy Joe Saunders Outline Their Returns

In some recent boxing news, Artur Beterbiev will be back in training next month following his recent jaw injury.

Beterbiev’s Injury

That is according to his trainer, Marc Ramsay. According to reports, the unified light heavyweight champion had been on course to face Callum Smith in August only to suffer a bone infection is his jaw after some dental surgery.

The fight was subsequently pulled off and rescheduled to take place in the New Year on January 13th, 2023. And now that the dust has settled down somewhat, Beterbiev is expected to resume training in October.

“Artur is doing very well. He has resumed training and should be OK to start full contact by the end of October. No frustration, this is part of our work … now we are looking forward,” Ramsay

Beterbiev’s Form

The news is vital for the light heavyweight division moving forward. The 38-year-old has long been linked with a fight against Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed title, only for the WBC to scupper those plans.

The organization has currently banned Russian fighters from fighting for their belt due to the Ukrainian war. However, there is an exemption available if Bivol were to go down that route.

So provided that Beterbiev beats Smith, the fight could get made. Beterbiev is in impressive form, having stopped Anthony Yarde in the eighth round during his last fight.

That kept up his 100 percent KO rate, much like Vergil Ortiz Jr. who has done at the same at welterweight. But given that Beterbiev has been out of the ring for sometime, there is a worry that he may not be at his peak. However, Ramsay dismissed any worries over that.

“No ring rust concern … no excuses. He still performs well and we are very confident with this fight,” Ramsay

Saunders’ Return

Meanwhile, Billy Joe Saunders, the former WBO middleweight and super middleweight champion, intends to make his comeback to the sport in December.

Saunders has been out of the ring for more than two years since he was stopped by Canelo Alvarez. The defeat was damaging in that it the fighter did suffer an eye injury, which required him to retire on the stool. The injury had threatened to disrupt his career, as he addressed it in the aftermath.

“It’s a bad injury, an injury I thought I would never get, but you never know what’s gonna happen in boxing. You never think it’s gonna happen to you, do you? It’s not so much the black eye because if the top of your lid’s swelling up and the eyebrow’s swelling up like a house brick – as long as you can still see, it doesn’t matter. But [with mine], the cutman tried to put the iron on it in the corner. I felt the iron go in my eye,” Saunders

Saunders’ Issue

Since then, Saunders has kept himself away from the sport, which has resulted in him packing on the pounds. So although a comeback is being talked about, the actual weight class for his return remains to be seen.

Saunders has fought at middleweight and super middleweight. Regardless, when it came to the idea of returning, Saunders was ready.

“I’m going to fight in December. I haven’t got an opponent yet but I’m going to go back with Eddie Hearn and sort something. I’ll probably fight at 12st 6lbs (light heavyweight), 12st 5lbs (super middleweight). I’m not going to say I’m going to fight a superstar, but I’m going to fight 12st 6lbs coming back, and then you’ll see me at 12st in the New Year,” Saunders

If Saunders does return to 175 pounds, then there are a few fights that could present themselves. Domestic clashes against Anthony Yarde and Joshua Buatsi may be available.

However, they could be a risk since those fighters do occupy the top three spots in the WBA rankings. Meanwhile, a fight against the big hitters in the division is unlikely. But whoever is presented to Saunders, the boxer wanted to make a statement on his return.

“I have to come back to boxing, because I can’t keep thinking about ‘could’ve, would’ve, should’ve…’ I know it’s been two-and-a-half years now, but I’ve been boxing mentally since I was five years old, so I needed that break so much,” Saunders