Billy Joe Saunders: ‘Being called a two-weight world champion sounds nice’

When Billy Joe Saunders received official confirmation that his fight against Shefat Isufi this weekend would be elevated to a full world title fight for the WBO’s vacant belt, Saunders said his patience has paid off.

Saunders recently elected to move up a division to super middleweight after complaining that it was too hard for him to secure worthwhile fights at middleweight. But with Saunders being a former middleweight titleholder, now seeking yet another world title up the ladder, Saunders says this is a step towards cementing his legacy.

“Being called a two-weight world champion sounds nice. It’s good for the history books.

“Boxing is a business, but to be a two-weight world champion is something you dream of growing up and here is my chance to achieve it.”

Saunders continued by acknowledging that there is a little pressure on him to perform this weekend, being that he’s fully expected to handle the little-known Isufi, but that it’s nothing that he can’t deal with. And if a fighter of Saunders’ caliber proves unable to deal with someone like Isufi in the ring, well, let’s just say his career prospects at 168lbs doesn’t look so good.