Former super middleweight champion George Groves believes Billy Joe Saunders has not done enough to earn a highly lucrative fight with Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
On Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Canelo captured the WBC, WBA super middleweight titles with a one-sided battering of unbeaten Callum Smith over twelve rounds.
Smith had beaten Groves in the final round of the World Boxing Super Series tournament in 2018.
Saunders’ most recent performances have been lackluster.
Earlier this month, Saunders retained the WBO super middleweight title with a twelve round unanimous decision over a past his prime Martin Murray. And in his two fights in 2019, Saunders failed to impress in his wins against Marcelo Esteban Coceres and Shefat Isufi.
He being positioned to face Canelo on Cinco De Mayo weekend in May – but the entire event was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Groves would rather see Canelo fight someone like Chris Eubank Jr. than Saunders.
“Saunders’ performances are not worthy for a shot at Canelo. He’s been inactive too. To be thrown in a fight like that, he needs some better performances under his belt. But he may be in the running now. Eubank Jr would be a great fight to watch. He’s a huge character, engaging for fans and it would be exciting,” Groves said to BBC.
Eddie Hearn, promoter for Saunders, believes Canelo will go after the British boxer in 2021 – before targeting a third encounter with IBF, IBO middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin.
“He loves to take on the best, he’s a hell of a fighter,” said Hearn.
“Billy Joe Saunders and then GGG in that order. I think he’s going to want to pick up the other belts in the division I think he’ll go for Billy next.”
Canelo also has a mandatory obligation due to top-rated challenger Avni Yildirim – which is due within 90 days pursuant to an order from the World Boxing Council.