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The call will now be on for Saunders, 31, to get the big fight or at least top-level matchup — it would be tough, for instance, to call Saunders-Demetrius Andrade a “big fight,” but it’s a top-level matchp — that he’s wanted and come close to in the last couple of years.
There’s Andrade, which nearly happened in 2018, or Canelo Alvarez, which was reportedly close for May of this year before the pandemic shut things down across the sport. He’s got his eye on the Canelo-Callum Smith fight in a couple of weeks, of course, but there’s also Gennadiy Golovkin, who fights Dec. 18. There are names where the fights should, in theory, be easy enough to make.
Not a lot of pros seemed to be tuned in today, but those who were were impressed with Saunders, and seem generally to echo the fans and media:
Good to see billy joe back in the ring. Comfortable points win for him tonight. All credit to Martin Murray one of the nicest guys in boxing and tough as nails and was in it until the end but age played the factor. Timing waits for no man in boxing #SaundersMurray
— Charlie Edwards (@CEdwardsBoxing) December 4, 2020
Shout now should be BJS vs GGG!
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) December 4, 2020
Murray is a proper fighters fighter bjs is class as naturally gifted as any1 out there now need to see him in with some big names now
— Enzo Maccarinelli (@theRealEnzoMac) December 4, 2020
Good performance from @bjsaunders_ be great to see him stay in the gym and stay in shape! He has all the talent in the world without shadow of a doubt the best I've been in the ring with #SaundersMurray
— Gary Spike OSullivan (@spike_osullivan) December 4, 2020
Saunders is so good
— Ohara Davies (@OharaDavies) December 4, 2020
Well done to Billy Joe and commiserations to Martin. Two great lads. They can both be proud tonight.
— Thomas Stalker (@ThomasStalker1) December 4, 2020
Get BJS in with GGG next great fight for him. Wins then would surely fight Canelo vs Smith winner
— Darren Reay (@DarrenReay007) December 4, 2020