Eddie Hearn tried to get back in the ring Billy Joe Saunders (30-1, 14 KOs), but after some negotiations, he apparently gave up. He recently paid him $8 million to fight Saul Alvarez, who had three super middleweight championship belts on the line.
The British lost the fight due to a serious injury to the zygomatic bone, having withdrawn before the ninth round. After the fight, according to eyewitnesses, Saunders noticeably gained weight and now he can safely weigh all 100 kg. Saunders himself does not admit how much weight he gained.
Hearn at one point wanted to sign the former middleweight and super middleweight champion so that he could continue fighting the world's best like John Ryder on the DAZN platform, but after several negotiations, he dropped the idea. Saunders had not entered the ring for fifteen months and was reportedly demanding $5 million for his return.
“We talked about numbers and I don't think I can give him what he wants. Billy is a great talent, we wanted him back in the ring. However, he may be looking for other challenges outside of our organization,” Hearn said.
