Sports

Billy Joe Saunders out to prove he is No.1 by beating Demetrius Andrade in Boston

244

Saunders v Andrade (Picture: Matchroom Boxing) — Saunders defends his title against Andrade in October (Picture: Matchroom Boxing)

Billy Joe Saunders declared he would rather die than lose his world title and undefeated record to Demetrius Andrade.

The WBO king travels to Boston on October 20 to defend his strap against two-time champion Andrade, and the rivals met face-to-face for the first time at a press conference on Friday.

Saunders believes the winner of this fight will prove himself to be the middleweights best fighter, regardless of what happens between Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez in their much anticipated rematch.

More: Boxing

The Brit heads into enemy territory for a second fight in a row, and Saunders insisted his focus is fixed on Andrade.

This is such a big fight, Saunders said. The two main men at Middleweight at the moment is GGG and Canelo – and neither of them want to fight me or Demetrius.

Advertisement Advertisement

Theres a lot of smoke and mist in the division right now, and when it clears up I will be the man standing there.

Saunders vs Andrade Fight Card

BILLY JOE SAUNDERS vs DEMETRIUS ANDRADE

Tevin Farmer vs James Tennyson
Katie Taylor vs Cindy Serrano
Danny OConnor vs Tommy Coyle
Kid Galahad vs Toka Kahn Clary
Scott Quigg vs TBA
Niall Kennedy vs TBA
Mark Deluca vs TBA

All jokes and trash talk aside, this is going to be a really good fight. Does anyone want to fight Demetrius? No. Does anyone want to fight me? No.

We have to fight each other to prove who the number one guy is. Technically, we are the best two in the division, and the winner is going to be number one.

Im world champion, Ive been more active, Ive boxed the better opposition – but I have to beat this man.

David Lemieux is a bum, a bum – hes not worth talking about and I dont take any credit from beating him.

But Ive been in with and easily handled World-class opposition – Ive been in with Chris Eubank Jr and dealt with him, been in with Andy Lee and dealt with him, Willie Monroe had no heart or desire to win.

One thing I have is desire. Before I sign up to lose this fight, on my kids life, I would rather die on a plane crash on the way home than lose to this man.

Advertisement Advertisement

Theres too much at stake. I am No.1 and I will prove it.

MORE: Eddie Hearn doubts Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder will happen

MORE: George Groves dismisses concerns about shoulder ahead of WBSS final showdown against Callum Smith