Canelo Names Billy Joe Saunders As The Most Annoying – ‘I Really Enjoyed Beating That Guy’
Canelo Alvarez recalled his most annoying opponents, as he cited Billy Joe Saunders.
They faced off in 2021 when Alvarez boxed Saunders in a unification clash. Alvarez held the WBC and WBA titles at 168, while Saunders held the WBO. The build-up was marred by controversy. Saunders controversially stated that he would pull out of the fight due to the ring size. Saunders also mocked Canelo for his failed positive tests in the past. Canelo tested positive for clenbuterol before facing GGG in the first fight. Alvarez stated it was due to contaminated meat while providing a hair follicle sample to show no long-term use. The Mexican was ultimately banned for six months. During their face-off, Saunders reminded Canelo of that.
“You had loads of beef, you love the beef. You like that beef, yeah? [And] you like the beef. That’s good. You’ve never been in the ring with someone like me, you’ve never seen anyone with this heart,” Saunders said
Canelo Vs. Saunders
Canelo hit back at Saunders as he reminded the fighter of his failed tests. Saunders tested positive twice for oxilofrine before he was meant to box Demetrius Andrade. The fight never went ahead, even if Saunders blamed it on an inhaler. Oxilofrine is known for being a fat burner, which raised controversy as Saunders is known for ballooning up in camps. Canelo made sure Saunders knew that.
“It was actually him who tested positive, twice actually. In my case, it was clenbuterol, the minimum, well, the content from the meat. Which has been proven that now there are minimum requirements for boxers. It was actually him who tested positive twice,” Saunders stated
Canelo took those comments personally as he made Saunders pay. He landed an uppercut on Saunders, breaking his eye socket. Saunders’ team responded by throwing in the towel. Billy has not boxed since then, despite rumours over his turn. Canelo looked back at that as his most satisfying win.
Canelo Reacts
“Billy Joe Saunders [was my most enjoyable win]. That’s why he got what he deserved. Some fighters… they talk to sell the fight or themselves but I think Saunders is a bad person so I really enjoyed beating that guy,” Canelo revealed
Caleb Plant also managed to get on Canelo’s nerves. During their build-up, Plant referred to Alvarez with the F word. Those comments were followed up by Plant having a swing up at Canelo during their face-off. Canelo managed to avoid the slap before countering to cut Caleb under the eye. The fight still went ahead. However, Canelo made him pay by stopping the American in the 11th round. But unlike Saunders, Canelo and Plant have managed to reconcile.
“Definitely my respect for Caleb Plant, he’s a very difficult fighter, he had a lot of ability. I do respect the fighter. He wanted to still fight me, he wanted to still continue. I told him, ‘There’s no shame, we had a great fight today. He did say sorry, that he didn’t mean it that way. Everything is OK,” Alvarez said
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