Billy Joe Saunders intends to get out of the fight game before it’s too late.
Far too often, we’ve seen fighters take one fight too many and, in that bout, take an unnecessary shot which could have serious implications on their futures.
Saunders isn’t going to be one of those fighters, mulling over whether or not to make the walk to the ring one last time in his late thirties.
The WBO middleweight champion has revealed his retirement plans and, according to the undefeated Brit, we’re only going to see him compete another handful of times before he hangs up his gloves for good.
Billy Joe Saunders 😂🙈
The Champ dodges a big right hand then looks out into the crowd to see where it landed!
They are not impressed!#SaundersLemieux pic.twitter.com/24uScxTx3P
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) December 17, 2017
Fresh from his masterclass against David Lemieux in Quebec, Saunders has already agreed on his next opponent, with confirmation arriving last week that he will defend his title against fellow Brit Martin Murray in London in April.
His sights are set on a lucrative payday against either Gennady Golovkin or Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, both of which would prove the ultimate litmus test of Saunders’ quality.
While he’s only 28 years of age, Saunders insists that he may have as little as two years left in him.
“When I’m 32 will I live like I am now? My personal opinion is no,” he said. “I want to do it while I have my youth,” Saunders told BBC Sport.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcy5c9Uh849/?utm_source=ig_embed
“I have two years to do what I want to do. I don’t think I’ve peaked but who wants to be getting punched for the next 10 years?
“I always said I want to be done at 30 or 31. You have a lot of people now who stay in a year or six months too long. That can have a big impact on your life and family.”
