BILLY JOE SAUNDERS has been ordered to fight David Lemieux or LOSE his WBO title.
He had hoped to take on the winner of Canelo Alvarez versus Gennady Golovkin but their draw and consequential rematch has complicated matters.
The WBO have issued Saunders a deadline of November 11 to strike a deal with mandatory challenger Canadian Lemieux for his third middleweight title defence.
Both fighters were involved in a heated war of words last week on Twitter.
Heavy-hitting Lemieux, 28, wrote: “Waiting impatiently to receive some news on my next fight which should be December 2, excited and ready.”
Saunders, also 28, replied: “P***y you was my mandatory and you was saying you was injured. Come fight me now.”
TALE OF THE TAPE
Saunders
Age: 28
Height: 5ft 11in
Reach: 73in
Fights: 25
Won: 25
KOs: 12
Drawn: 0
Lost: 0
Total rounds: 163
Lemieux
Age: 28
Height: 5ft 9in
Reach: 70in
Fights: 41
Won: 38
KOs: 33
Drawn: 0
Lost: 3
Total rounds: 155
To which Lemieux warned: “We did make you guys an offer but you’re overpricing yourself, another way of saying no, you coward. When I fight you – you’re ending in hospital.”
Saunders, who retained his WBO belt on points against Willie Monroe Jr last month, hit back: “Make me a offer.
“Don’t talk s***, come over for December. I hold the title, you come to UK.”
Saunders has a spotless 25-0 record, winning 12 times by KO.
MOST READ IN BOXING
Lemieux, who beat Marcos Reyes on by unanimous decision last time out, is 38-3, with his last defeat coming to Golovkin in 2015.
But he boasts an outstanding 33 KOs and is regarded one of the most dangerous opponents in the division.
Leave a comment