Canelo’s trainer Reynoso says Saunders NEXT on May 2

Boxingnews24.com

By Sean Jones

Canelo Alvarez’s trainer Eddy Reynoso has let the cat out of the bag by saying that they want Billy Joe Saunders next for May 2. However, Saunders’ promoter Eddie Hearn says there is no contract for a Canelo-Saunders fight, and he was told by Golden Boy Promotions that they’re going to pick Callum Smith as Canelo’s next opponent after hearing what Saunders wants to fight Canelo.

When asked by esnews who Canelo will be fighting next on May 2nd, his trainer Eddy Reynoso said, “Billy Joe Saunders.’

Golden Boy hasn’t given Hearn contract for Saunders

Hearn said he spoke to Reynoso last Saturday night and told the same thing when he asked him who is Canelo fighting next. Canelo wants Saunders, but Golden Boy appears to want the less expensive Callum Smith for his next fight. It could come down to Canelo INSISTING that he get Saunders next. He’s someone that would be more marketable than Callum, who isn’t as personable and charismatic as Billy Joe.

Although Callum would likely beat Saunders, he’s no match for him in terms of verbal skills. Saunders (29-0, 14 KOs) is one of the best trash talkers in the business, but his talent, power and ring resume lag far behind. Sadly, the best name on Saunders’ 11-year pro resume is David Lemieux, and that’s not a big name.

“We haven’t agreed to any terms, and we have no contract,” said Hearn to IFL TV on a fight between Saunders and Canelo for May 2. “I went up to [Canelo’s trainer] Eddy Reynoso tonight and said, ‘Who are you fighting? Is there any chance of us finding out?’ and he said, ‘Billy Joe Saunders.’ But we haven’t heard from Golden Boy in a couple of days. They know Billy Joe Saunder’s number. We’re not a million miles away.

“The last I was told was, ‘Well, if he wants that much, then we’ll fight Callum Smith.’ I said, ‘Okay,’ but obviously Canelo and Reynoso want to fight Billy Joe.”

Saunders is less dangerous for Canelo than the big 6’3″ Callum, who is pretty much a light heavyweight, although he’s still able to make 168. At this point in Callum’s career, he’s starting to get diminishing returns with his performances dropping off due to his struggles to make the 168-limit.

Callum Smith would be a dangerous opponent or Canelo

At 29, Callum needs to move up to 175, but he’s resisting that move and understandable why. The light heavyweight division is filled with lions like Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol, and Oleksandr Gvozdyk, and those guys would arguably be too strong, too talented and too skilled for the stork-like Smith.

Canelo isn’t going to want to fight a de facto light heavyweight like Callum Smith, which is why he’s looking for an easier job against the mouthy Saunders.News:Canelo vs. Saunders: Golden Boy INCREASES offer to Billy Joe to $7.75M for May 2 fight

Does Saunders want $12 million to face Canelo?

Golden Boy reportedly increased the offer to Saunders to $7.5 million this week, but that still wasn’t enough. He may want the same kind of money that Alvarez’s last 2 opponents Sergey Kovalev and Daniel Jacobs got to fight the superstar. Both f those fighters got $12 million.

As you can see, $7.5 million is quite a ways away from the $12 million that a shot Kovalev and Jacobs both got. Just how much Saunders wants to fight Canelo is the magic question. If Saunders digs his feet into the sand and insists that he get $12 million for the Canelo fight, it could get interesting to see if he gets what he wants.