Billy vows Herts will be racing
BILLY JOE SAUNDERS will begin his campaign to become a two-weight world champion by fighting for the first time in his Hertfordshire backyard.
Saunders will face Shefat Isufi for the interim WBO super-middleweight title at Stevenage Borough’s
Lamex Stadium on May 18.
Saunders, 29, held the WBO middleweight crown until he relinquished it last year when he failed a drugs test and the Hatfield fighter is excited about performing in front of his home fans for the first time.
“I’m very, very happy for the fight, more or less, to be taking place in my home town,” said the unbeaten Traveller.
“Stevenage and Hatfield is my area and I’m excited to be fighting in front of my home fans. I’m finally home. This is my real homecoming from the time I turned pro really. I know I have got great support there and I look forward to them all coming out and seeing me put on a brilliant display.”
Saunders, who has brought in Tyson Fury’s trainer Ben Davison as his new cornerman, claims he wants WBO champ Gilberto Ramirez after he beats leading contender Isufi.
Ramirez has not given up his belt despite moving up to light-heavyweight and Saunders will be waiting for the Mexican if he comes back down to defend against him.
“I shall fight this No 1 ranked opponent, I’ll be taking his spot and then I will fight Ramirez after that,” said Saunders, who is 27-0. “Let’s get that fight going on.
“If he moves up I would become world champion but I don’t want to win it that way because I want to beat the champion.”