Article by Rick Mohamed

Billy Joe Saunder’s Dad, Tom announces that there’s no longer a ring problem. The fight will go on as scheduled vs. Canelo for the unified super middleweight titles.

WBO super middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders of the UK has announced that the ring dispute that seriously threatened their upcoming unification fight in Arlington TX.’ AT&T Stadium (home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys) on Saturday, May 8, 2021 vs. WBA/WBC champion Canelo Alvarez is over. 

As reported yesterday, Tom Saunders, Billy Joe’s father, said that the original agreement included a 24 foot ring, but was negotiated down to 22. 

However, when the ring was installed, it was only 20 feet, and the Saunders camp was definitely not pleased. Larger rings favor boxers with superior footwork, while smaller rings favor punchers who like to crowd their opponents, giving them nowhere to go. 

Billy Joe is a boxer who possesses great footwork, which will most likely help him in his fight vs. the hard-hitting Canelo. Saunders’ camp protested the ring size, but their protests fell on deaf ears. 

They were told to either accept the ring size or get on a plane and go back home. 

As a result, Mexico’s Canelo was left to promote the fight all by himself. It seemed very odd to see him photographed solo in front of AT&T Stadium. 

Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Promotions and Canelo Alvarez’ camp have apparently relented and came to an agreement with Saunders’ camp regarding ring size-the actual agreed-upon size wasn’t disclosed. Whatever the size, it’s clear that it’s no longer a factor. 

Canelo’s trainer Eddy Reynoso said “To us this doesn’t mean anything”. Canelo isn’t seen as the world’s top fighter Pound-For-Pound (P4P) for nothing: he’s very gifted, versatile and durable. 

He can face any opponent in any venue and in any condition. come fight night, we shall see whether ring size really matters in this case. Was this just posturing by the Saunders camp, or was it a legitimate concern that had the potential to be a real deal-breaker? No one may ever know. LETSGOCHAMPS 

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LETSGOCHAMPS!