A dispute over the size of the ring has threatened to derail the super middleweight unification clash between WBC and WBA champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 55-1-2 (37) and WBO titleholder Billy Joe Saunders 30-0 (14 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas this Saturday night.
Team Saunders demanded a 24-foot ring after learning that they would be fighting in an 18-foot ring. Team Canelo was willing to go up to 20-foot and Team Saunders came down to 22-foot but would budge no further.
According to Saunders’ father Tom, they were told to get on a flight home.
The 31-year-old Saunders from Hatfield, England earlier expressed his displeasure on Behind the Gloves.
“You don’t go into a 70,000-seat [arena] and dance in a 16ft or 18ft ring, or even a 20ft ring,” he said.
“This magnitude of a fight has to be on a fair playing field and a proper legitimate ring, proper legitimate gloves. I just want a fair shake of the dice.”
Saunders was a no show at the media day at AT&T Stadium, leaving Alvarez to address the issue alone.
“He has to fight Saturday, the fight is going to happen, that’s not a problem,” the 30-year-old Mexican superstar said.
“The truth is, I don’t care about the size of the ring. I’m going to go in there and do my job.
“It’s not the only excuse that he’s had, he’s had plenty of excuses. I’m just going to go in there and do what I got to do.
“Nothing frustrates me. I’m just focused on winning on Saturday. I’m calm.”
WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury took to social media to back his friend Saunders.
“I got off the phone with Billy Joe. It seems like they are trying a lot of tricks in Texas with him,” he said.
“I want to say; you can try all of the motherfucking tricks in the world, but you won’t beat Billy Joe.
“Play fair, guys. Play fair, now.”
WBC number seven and WBA number six ranked contender John ‘The Gorilla’ Ryder 29-5 (16) has been drafted in as a late replacement. The 32-year-old British southpaw will fly out to Dallas on Wednesday.
“Put it this way, it’s a bit earlier than scheduled but I’m definitely going to pack my gum shield and protector just in case,” Ryder told Boxing News.
“That’s the sport we’re involved in. Especially with Covid, how many times have you seen fights pulled last minute with positive tests coming through?
“I’m going there tomorrow regardless, what’s an extra couple of ounces for a protector and a gumshield?
“What’s the saying? Have gloves, will travel, that’s me.”
Alvarez is targeting a fight against IBF super middleweight champion Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant 21-0 (12) later this year in another unification bout if he is successful on Saturday.
