Billy Joe Saunders could be out for ‘a long, long time’ following his defeat to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.
Saunders threatened to turn the tide in the middle rounds of Saturday’s contest before Canelo landed a devastating right uppercut midway through the eighth.
With his right eye badly swollen as a result of the shot, the Briton was unable to rise from his stool for the start of the ninth round with trainer Mark Tibbs pulling his man out.
Footage after the fight showed Saunders climbing into an ambulance to be taken to a local hospital in Texas having suffered a suspected fractured orbital bone.
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Hearn confirmed Saunders is likely to undergo surgery right away and suggested the 31-year-old may now face some big decisions over his future.
‘The first thing is he has gone straight to hospital and I believe he will have that operated on immediately, probably,’ Hearn said.
‘So he is going be out for a long, long time. But we know Billy Joe Saunders is a world class fighter. He lost to the pound-for-pound no1 and he boxed well.
‘So for me, it all depends on what he wants to do. He made a shedload of money tonight, he boxed on the biggest stage you could possibly box on, he’s a two-weight world champion and he just lost the unification fight to the pound-for-pound no1.
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‘If he wants to carry on, there are some big fights for him but he may feel he’s got to a stage where he’s been there, he’s done it, he’s seen it all.
‘It’s all about hunger now, if he wants to come back and improve and kick on. And will back him 100 percent.’
Photo Credit: Getty
