Billy Joe Saunders is a British expert boxer recognised for his technical prowess in the ring and a profession marked with the aid of brilliant achievements and controversies. As a -weight global champion, Saunders has held the WBO middleweight title from 2015 to 2018 and the WBO terrific-middleweight title from 2019 to 2021. Despite his success, his profession has been marred with the aid of using a chain of off-ring incidents which have attracted vast public and media attention.
Early Life and Amateur Career
Born on August 30, 1989, in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, Saunders hails from the British Romani community. He started out boxing at a younger age and quickly rose via the beginner ranks. His beginner profession turned into highlight with the aid of winning a gold medal at the 2007 EU Championships and representing Great Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the welterweight division.
Professional Career
Rise to World Champion
Saunders grew to become an expert in 2009 and step by step constructed an excellent record. In December 2015, he captured the WBO middleweight title with the aid of defeating Andy Lee by majority decision. This victory turned historic, because it turned into the primary global name combat contest among individuals of the Travelling community.
Move to Super-Middleweight
After protecting his middleweight name successfully, Saunders moved as much as the terrific-middleweight division. In May 2019, he claimed the vacant WBO terrific-middleweight title with the aid of defeating Shefat Isufi. He defended this name as soon as earlier than dealing with Canelo Álvarez in a unification bout in May 2021. Saunders suffered his first expert loss in this combat, retiring after the 8th spherical because of a fractured orbital bone.
Controversies and Legal Issues
Saunders’ profession has been appreciably impacted with the aid of using numerous controversies:
September 2018: He was fined £100,000 with the aid of using the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) for a video wherein he presented a lady with pills to carry out a intercourse act and advocated her to attack a passerby.
March 2020: Saunders published a video demonstrating the way to hit a lady all through the COVID-19 lockdown, leading to large condemnation and the suspension of his boxing license with the aid of using the BBBofC.
October 2018: He turned in denied a boxing license with the aid of using the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission after checking out high-quality for the banned stimulant oxilofrine, ensuing in the cancellation of his combat towards Demetrius Andrade.
Recent Developments
As of April 2025, Saunders has now no longer returned to expert boxing considering his loss to Canelo Álvarez in 2021. However, he stays worried in the sport, mentoring younger boxer Lewis Edmondson. Recently, Saunders became worried in a heated incident on the Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn combat, wherein he was denied access into Eubank Jr’s dressing room to look into his hand wrapping, mainly to a disagreement with safety and Eubank Jr’s team.
Did Canelo destroy Billy Joe Saunders’ eye socket?
Yes, all through their terrific-middleweight name unification bout on May 8, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez brought an effective proper uppercut in the 8th spherical that ended in an intense damage to Billy Joe Saunders’ proper eye. This punch precipitated more than one fracture to Saunders’ orbital area, efficiently breaking his eye socket.
The damage turned so vast that Saunders’ trainer, Mark Tibbs, determined to forestall the combat earlier than the begin of the 9th spherical, as Saunders turned into not able to look out of his broken eye.
Following the combat, Saunders underwent surgical treatment to restore the fractures. He later showed that the operation turned into a success and expressed his purpose to go back to boxing.
How many fights has Billy Joe Saunders lost?
As of April 2025, Billy Joe Saunders has suffered one expert loss in his boxing profession. This defeat took place on May 8, 2021, all through a terrific middleweight unification bout towards Mexican champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Saunders retired in the 8th spherical after maintaining an intense damage to his proper eye, which later showed to be more than one fracture to his orbital bone .
Prior to this, Saunders maintained an undefeated record of 30 wins with 14 knockouts. His sole loss to Canelo Álvarez remains the simplest blemish on his expert record.
Billy Joe Saunders net worth
As of 2025, Billy Joe Saunders’ net worth is expected to be around $2 million. This discern displays his income in general from his boxing profession, such as combat handbags and endorsements. Notably, Saunders earned a reported $8 million for his high-prorecord bout towards Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez in May 2021 .
Billy Joe Saunders record
As of April 2025, Billy Joe Saunders’ expert boxing record stands at 30 wins, 1 loss, and zero draws. His sole defeat took place on May 8, 2021, all through a terrific-middleweight unification bout towards Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Saunders retired in the 8th spherical after maintaining an intense damage to his proper eye, which later showed to be more than one fracture to his orbital bone. This damage brought about the stoppage of the combat and stays the simplest blemish on his expert record.
Legacy and Public Perception
Saunders’ legacy in boxing is a complicated one. While his talents and achievements in the ring are commendable, his off-ring conduct has overshadowed his accomplishments. His controversies have sparked debates about the duties of public figures and the effect of private behavior on expert careers.
In summary
Billy Joe Saunders stays one of the most gifted but debatable figures in British boxing. His profession serves as a reminder of the significance of private behavior and the effect it may have on expert success. As fans and the boxing community await his next move, Saunders’ story continues to be a topic of discussion and debate.
FAQs
Has Billy Joe Saunders retired from boxing?
While Saunders has now no longer formally introduced his retirement, he has now no longer fought considering his loss to Canelo Álvarez in 2021.
What titles has Billy Joe Saunders held?
Saunders has held the WBO middleweight name (2015–2018) and the WBO terrific-middleweight name (2019–2021).
What controversies has Billy Joe Saunders been worried about?
Saunders has been involved in numerous controversies, such as posting movies that have been deemed offensive and inappropriate, mainly to fines and the suspension of his boxing license.
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