BILLY JOE SAUNDERS VS. MARTIN MURRAY - 4/11/20 - Sky Sports/DAZN

[smashup]

The WBO super-middleweight title is on the line as Matchroom Boxing's residency at the SSE Arena, Wembley continues.

British boxers Billy Joe Saunders and Martin Murray return to the ring after over a year out apiece as world championship boxing headlines one of Matchroom Boxing's final cards of 2020.

Saunders will make his second defence of his WBO super-middleweight title after outpointing Shefat Isufi in May 2019. He successfully defended the belt six months later with an 11th-round knockout of Marcelo Esteban Coceres. Saunders was hoping to fight Canelo Alvarez in May, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic he hasn't been in action since November 2019.

Murray, meanwhile, has tried and failed to become a world champion on four separate occasions at super-middle as well as middleweight. At the age of 38, this could be his final chance to add the sought-after accolade to his resume.

This is a bout that has been attempted in the past, but will now finally take place as part of Matchroom's residency at the SSE Arena, Wembley.

"I am very happy to be defending my WBO title again," Saunders told Sky Sports. "I haven't boxed for a year and I really do miss being in the ring. I can't wait to have my 30th professional fight and finish the year with a bang before a big 2021.

"The coronavirus pandemic has affected everybody in many ways, and it has had a big impact on the sport of boxing. The Canelo fight falling through was very frustrating for me but now the journey continues in December.

"Martin and I were supposed to fight twice before but it didn't happen either time. He said some stuff and so did I, so let's see who can back it up. I'm enjoying training with Mark Tibbs. He's incredibly knowledgeable in the sport of boxing and we are working on new stuff that we will show on the night."

CARD


Billy Joe Saunders vs. Martin Murray, 12 rounds for Saunders' WBO super middleweight title

James Tennyson vs. Josh O'Reilly, 12 rounds at lightweight

Zach Parker vs. Cesar Nunez, 10 rounds at super middleweight

[Dark Lord Al]

Saunders is making the calibre of Calzaghe's defences look good.WBO is a crap belt lets face it.

[X]

Saunders is a very avoided fighter, he doesn't bring much to the gate or sell many tickets, plus he is very hard to look good against.

He also appears to be a complete dickhead.

[Vendettos]

I’ve lived in St Helens and met Martin a couple of times long ago, but I beg he wins this.

Sometimes people have the ability, Martin just falls short of world class, but his training and his heart.. he deserves a world title. He should have had it before and I’d rather he didn’t do it against Saunders but I really hope he does!

[Batman]

Not a fan of Friday night boxing, I like to just sit down and mong out with beer, music and curry

Anna is looking lovely as usual though...rather shiny on the bottom half tonight

[imp]

Does main fight start at 9pm?

[Batman]

Does main fight start at 9pm?

I would have thought it would be 10-10:30pm

[imp]

Cheers

[X]

So the fight is tonight, and there is not even one full page on this thread.

That sums up Saunders' appeal really

[Batman]

So the fight is tonight, and there is not even one full page on this thread.

That sums up Saunders' appeal really

Thing with BJS is that he fights to the level of his opponent, I'm expecting this to be a stinker, unless matchroom have put a rocket up his arse.

Old fat Shazza is fighting tonight, she's the only one of the birds that I don't mind.

[Batman]

I say I don't mind Shannon Courtney but I can't watch her and give a shit, 2 rounds and I've put my music back on.

Tandoori Duck starter was fucking amazing though, really nice, I would highly recommend it from the Balti Queen in Erdington, Birmingham

[Master]

Josh O' Reilly gets stopped by the vicious and hard punching James Tennyson in the 1st round.

[Batman]

come on @Master you old cunt, lets get this motherfucker to two pages

[Batman]

@Master are you gunna stay up for the Spence v Garcia fight tomorrow? the undercard looks shite but with Yarde fighting on BT I'm tempted to pull an all nighter, what do you reckon, do you fancy a date night?

[Master]

come on @Master you old cunt, lets get this motherfucker to two pages

Not if there is another early knockout. Let's hope Murray can do it.