In becoming a world champion in any sport, let alone one of the most lucrative sports in the world in boxing, you’d imagine those lucky few to be living a life of extravagance or at the very least moderate luxury.
In the case of Britain’s Billy Joe Saunders, however, at first glance you may think otherwise.
Speaking to Steve Lillis of BoxNation after Frank Warren’s eagerly anticipated presser outlining the details of the BoxNation/BT Sport partnership taking place in the UK, the reigning WBO Middleweight champion of the world sat down to discuss his current plans.
When asked about any potential next opponents Saunders kept his answer wrapped in suspense:
“Talking to Frank (Warren) earlier today there’s a couple of hands we can choose from. There’s one significant fight, mega fight, that’s gonna be… well… it’s on touching distance of being made. Literally fingertips.”
Instantly Lillis tried to unravel Saunders’ riddle, asking if the mystery man in question was Gennady ‘Triple G’ Golovkin’, to which he responded:
“You’re gonna have to wait and find out. I don’t wanna put it out there yet but he’s gotta come through a fight first. People are looking at it as if it’s a walk in the park when it’s not.”
The interview then took a slight turn for the comical. When asked about his current living arrangements Saunders responded in a joking manner:
“I’m living outside in a car park at the minute, at Adam Booth’s gym, in a caravan. I know you’re laughing at me thinking I’m lying but yeah I’ve got a little caravan out there.”
Perhaps recognizing the comedic value in his situation Saunders went on to enquire whether any of the viewing public had any spare gas to power his new home:
“The gas went this morning so I’m looking for any gas bottles laying about. Just send them to Adam Booth’s gym. I could do with a bit of heating for this world title fight.”
While the idea of a reigning middleweight king residing in a caravan of all places falls somewhere between laughably tragic and ironically brilliant, based on his most recent performance against a gutsy Artur Akavov (whom many believe was robbed on the night) no amount of gas or indoor heating will be able to help Saunders if ‘Triple G’ does agree to step up to the plate.
Although Saunders certainly has the slick skills and style to frustrate and ask plenty of questions of ‘GGG’ in what would also be a significant fight given that it would be a unification.
For the full interview check it out here (hat tip and credit: BoxNation YouTube):
