Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news
Billy Joe Saunders has expressed his surprise at the prediction that his bout against fellow unbeaten middleweight Chris Eubank Jr this Saturday will be a close contest, saying it will be a "clear cut victory" for him.
“I’m feeling great, the best I’ve ever been in my career, my weight is perfect, I’m just where I want to be,” Saunders said today.
“Everything has been done in training camp and I’ve left no stone unturned, I couldn’t have done anymore and now it’s all on the line on Saturday night - there’s going to be fireworks”
“The boxing world seems to be split down the middle deciding who is going to win between us, I can’t see the reason why because for me it’s a clear cut victory for me, but everyone will see the reason why this Saturday.”
Video: Saunders vs Fletcher (14 September 2012)
His trainer, Jimmy Tibbs, added: “He put everything into the camp in Marbella and now he’ll reap the rewards,”
Show all 10 1 /10Great boxing rivalries Great boxing rivalries Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier – 1971, 1974 & 1975 Possibly one of the greatest rivalries of all time, not just in boxing but in any sport. These two titans met three times, with Ali taking home the spoils 2-1. The first was known as the ‘Fight of the Century’ in which two undisputed title holders came together, it ended with Frazier winning after 15 rounds via unanimous decision. The final fight was dubbed ‘Thrilla in Manilla’, where Ali retained all three of his heavyweight titles.
GETTY IMAGES
Great boxing rivalries Joe Louis vs Max Schmeling – 1936 & 1938 Among two of boxing’s most historical fights. With Schmeling’s origins of Nazi Germany, these two represented something a little more than just two heavyweight boxers at their peak coming together. Louis was undefeated coming into the first fight while Schmeling already had 60 fights under his belt. The German won it with a 12th round knockout. By the time the pair met again, Louis had won the world Heavyweight title. It only took him one round to knock out Schmeling. Louis’ performances gained him national recognition and became one of America’s first African American heroes.
GETTY IMAGES
Great boxing rivalries Micky Ward v Arturo Gatti – 2002, 2002 & 2003 The first time these two met proved to be The Ring Magazine’s ‘Fight of the Year’. A famous left hook body shot in the ninth brought Gatti to his knees and proved the deciding factor in the judges’ decision. A rematch was agreed immediately with Gatti knocking Ward down in third, however the American managed to finish the fight before losing by decision. The final fight also won The Ring Magazine’s fight of the year, Ward knocked down Gatti in the sixth, but before the referee could count to ten, the bell sounded. Gatti was able to come back and win via unanimous decision.
GETTY IMAGES
Great boxing rivalries Nigel Benn v Chris Eubank – 1990 & 1993 In what was initially a fierce domestic rivalry, became one of world interest between these two British greats. Eubank was originally the challenger and began shouting out for Benn after only 10 fights. After winning his WBO middleweight title, Benn agreed to face Eubank. With each fighter saying they were going to knock the other one out, it was the challenger that actually did. With a technical knockout in the ninth round. The re-match was watched by half a billion people worldwide, with both defending titles it was so even, it ended in a draw.
GETTY IMAGES
Great boxing rivalries Gene Tunney v Jack Dempsey – 1926 & 1927 Fighting twice, these bouts have gone down as two of the most famous in boxing history. Tunney won the first over 10 rounds via unanimous decision. The second is why these two were forever known in boxing history. In the seventh round Dempsey threw a flurry of punches to knock Tunney down for the first time in his career. The referee couldn’t count until Dempsey had reached a neutral corner. He didn’t oblige, buying Tunney valuable time. Tunney managed to rise at a time many say was over ten seconds. This is why the fight is known as the Long Count. Tunney went on to knock down Dempsey in the eighth and win by unanimous decision.
Great boxing rivalries Manny Pacquiao v Juan Manuel Marquez – 2004, 2008, 2011 & 2012 One of the greatest modern day rivalries which will go on to be imprinted in boxing’s history. Having fought four times to this day, Pacquiao has won two, Marquez one and the other being a draw. Marquez winning the most recent with a sixth round knockout, handing the Pac-Man back to back defeats. The Ring Magazine awarded it not only ‘Fight of the Year’ but also ‘Knockout of the Year’.
Great boxing rivalries Ken Norton v Muhammad Ali - 1973, 1973 & 1976 Ali’s second defeat came to the man known as ‘The Black Hercules’. In what was their first fight, Ali was the 5-1 favourite and had won 10 fights since his first lost to Frazier. Norton broke Ali’s jaw in the fight, despite The Greatest carrying on, he lost on a split decision. Six months later, Ali avenged Norton winning also on a split decision and re-gaining his NABF Heavyweight title. The third and final fight was some three years later after Rumble in the Jungle, Ali won via unanimous decision.
Great boxing rivalries Marco Antonio Barrera v Erik Morales - 2000, 2002 & 2004 Involving two of more modern days most famous Mexican boxers, the Barrera v Morales trilogy is a famous one, spanning over three different classes. Their first fight was in the super-bantamweight division with both holding titles. Morales won the first on a close split decision. Deciding to move up classes, Morales went to Featherweight, where again he met Barrera for a title match. This time Barrera won, in what was Morales’ first ever career defeat. The third and final time they met was in the Super-Featherweight division, where again Morales lost and with it his WBC title.
GETTY IMAGES
Great boxing rivalries Riddick Bowe v Evander Holyfield - 1992, 1993 & 1995 These two Heavyweight giants came together three times in a famous blockbuster conquest. In the first fight, Holyfield walked in with Lineal, WBC, WBA & IBF Heavyweight titles having beaten Buster Douglas and George Foreman. Bowe had never tasted defeat and to everyone’s surprise, won via unanimous decision. The re-match went the distance with Holyfield winning on a split decision. This was Bowe’s first and only career defeat. The third, unlike the other two, was ended after eight rounds when Bowe knocked out Holyfield.
GETTY IMAGES
Great boxing rivalries Sugar Ray Leonard v Thomas Hearns – 1981 & 1989 These two first met in a heavyweight clash with both boxers’ welterweight titles on the line. Ray Leonard known for his boxing skill, and Hearns for his vicious punching. The epic battle lasted 14 rounds before Leonard unleashed a series of punches, forcing the ref to stop the fight. The re-match, known as ‘The War’, had both fighters again holding titles, this time in the super-middleweight class. After 12 rounds of back and forth punishment, the fight was scored as a judge’s draw. The two never fought again with Hearns moving to light-heavyweight.
GETTY IMAGES
“We’re finishing this week off at the West Ham Boys ABC, where they have just installed a new gym, and it’s quiet and private, just what we need as the days tick away until Saturday,”
Chris Eubank Jr stands in front of his father (Getty) “This is a big fight for Billy and an important one, we’ve not underestimated Chris Jnr. one bit, but we’re ready for him, we’re not nervous, but the adrenaline is starting to flow.”
Saunders vs Eubank Jr and Tyson Fury vs. Dereck Chisora are live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD, Virgin 546 & TalkTalk 525) this Saturday night. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies