Billy Joe Saunders has once again raised the possibility of returning to the ring, with the former two-weight world champion suggesting that a long-awaited rematch with Chris Eubank Jr. could be the fight that brings him back.
The 36-year-old has not boxed since his 2021 defeat to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, when he suffered a serious injury to his right eye during their super-middleweight title fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Saunders was withdrawn after eight rounds, leaving his professional record at 30-1 with 14 knockouts.
Despite spending years away from competition, Saunders remains part of a notable generation of British fighters that included Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Carl Froch, Kell Brook and Amir Khan. Several of those names have either remained active or continued to flirt with the idea of returning to the sport.
Saunders, however, admits that after such a lengthy absence, he must be realistic about what a comeback could involve.
“I think you have got to be realistic after being out of the ring for five years and not staying in touch with the game,” Saunders said. “If I were to come back, it would be more of a fight for the fans.
“Would I love the opportunity to become a three-weight world champion? Of course I would. But I've got to be realistic.
“My goal is not to come in and say, ‘Right, I’m back in the game. I want to be a world champion.’ I’m living in reality.”
One opponent who appears to interest him more than any other is Eubank Jr., the man Saunders defeated by split decision in 2014. The fight remains one of the most talked-about victories of Saunders’ career, alongside his wins over Andy Lee and David Lemieux.
Eubank Jr. has long expressed an interest in avenging that defeat, and Saunders believes the rivalry still has enough appeal to generate a major event.
“The only person I would really come out for is clearly a Eubank fight,” Saunders said.
“That is about it because I know I can go in without any warm-up and beat him, especially after his last performance.
“I'm not going to go in there and chase the young fighters like David Benavidez. It's past that.”
Eubank Jr., also 36, has continued to insist that he intends to keep fighting and has recently been linked with plans to box in Nigeria. According to Saunders, discussions surrounding a potential fight have already taken place.
“The Eubanks have been in touch,” Saunders claimed.
“They have seen me in training, and then the phones are up, and they think they are going to give me a truckload of money to go to Nigeria.
“We all do what we do to get paid, but you aren't going to give me a truckload of money just because I'm in shape so I can go over to Nigeria.”
Saunders has spoken about a possible return before, including a previous claim that a comeback was firmly in his plans. Those discussions never developed into an actual fight, but his renewed focus on Eubank Jr. could provide his most realistic route back into the ring.
For now, no official agreement has been announced. But with both former rivals at the same age and their first meeting still remembered by British boxing fans, the prospect of a second showdown continues to gather attention.
