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Sport

18th Dec 2017

Tyson Fury has made a confident claim about Billy Joe Saunders’ probable next fight

Backing his buddy to the hilt

Darragh Murphy

Based on Saturday’s performance, you might be foolish to doubt Billy Joe Saunders’ chances against absolutely anybody.

Saunders put on a technical clinic in the most recent defence of his WBO middleweight title as he dominated challenger David Lemieux in Quebec last weekend.

It was a masterclass from the champion, who danced his way around enemy territory and kept a hold of his undefeated professional record in the process.

The unanimous decision win has left Saunders well-placed for a potential unification clash against the winner of the rematch between Gennady Golovkin and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

GGG vs. Canelo ended in a controversial draw when the most feared middleweights in the world met in September and a rematch is all but confirmed for next May.

Either Golovkin or Alvarez would represent the sternest test of Saunders’ 26-0 career to date but the English fighter’s close friend, Tyson Fury, has backed Saunders to have the beating of them.

“I’m very confident,” Fury told IFL TV of Saunders’ chances against Golovkin.

“What is he going to do, chase him around the ring trying to land one big punch like that guy [Lemieux].

“That style is almost impregnable.

“The only way to beat someone like that is to knock them out with one punch, because you’re not going to win, are you?

“It’s very awkward, being a southpaw too.

“The movement was excellent, and the fitness was very, very hard to beat.”