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BOXING

Saunders out to "turn boxing world upside down" against Álvarez

Billy Joe Saunders knows he'll be seen as the underdog when he faces Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez in their super-middleweight unification fight on Saturday.

Update:
Saunders out to "turn boxing world upside down" against Álvarez
Getty Images

Billy Joe Saunders says he's out to "turn the boxing world upside down" by defeating Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez in their super-middleweight unification bout.

Undefeated WBO champion Saunders takes on WBC and WBA title-holder Canelo at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday.

"I'm certainly, most definitely going in there as the underdog in many, many people's eyes"

The Mexican is the clear favourite, but Saunders is ready to upset the odds. "I'm certainly, most definitely going in there as the underdog in many, many people's eyes," he told Stats Perform.

"It's about self-belief; I wouldn't be here if I was thinking that I wasn't going to go home with the win, anything but. I'm very excited to get in the ring now and showcase my skills off to the world.

"I don't really watch opponents, watch glimpses of them. I've seen him for many, many years. He's a complete fighter. I know what's got to be done.

"He's a brilliant fighter, got to rate him. He's down as pound-for-pound king, so it's my turn to turn the boxing world upside down."

"Hopefully the judges score it for how they see it"

Saunders insists a partisan Cinco de Mayo weekend crowd will not negatively impact his performance – "it will spur me on," he says – but he has repeatedly referred to potential issues with the judges.

The 30-0 Briton has stated he will start the fight "three rounds down" on the scorecards, while his father suggested there was a dispute over the size of the ring.

"That all got sorted out," Saunders said, adding: "He's a brilliant boxer, I'm a brilliant boxer. It’s all on a level playing field."

But Saunders, when asked how he could beat Canelo, said: "I don't want to say that. You'll find out on Saturday night. I don't want to give too much away. I know what I've got to do to get the edge.

"I just want to be treated fairly and hopefully the judges score it for how they see it and not how they hear it."