5 Potential Future Opponents for Billy Joe Saunders After His Win over Andy Lee
Some like collecting stamps, others choose to collect old coins. Billy Joe Saunders, however, seems to enjoy collecting belts.
Having already held the Southern Area, British, European and Commonwealth straps, the middleweight added the WBO title to his list of achievements by dethroning Andy Lee in Manchester, England, on Saturday.
Saunders won by majority decision on the scorecards, moving his professional record to 23-0 (12 KOs).
The silky southpaw—who knocked Lee down twice in Round 3—is now a world champion in a division packed with star quality.
Here, Bleacher Report looks at potential opponents for Saunders in 2016.
Honourable Mentions
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There are two HUGE names at middleweight that nearly everyone in the division would like to face.
Gennady Golovkin—who boasts a 34-0 (31 KOs) record—and Saul Alvarez, last seen defeating Miguel Cotto on points, are on a collision course.
However, according to boxing journalist Dan Rafael of ESPN, both will have interim fights before they go toe-to-toe in September. Billy Joe Saunders could, therefore, be an option for one of the star names.
What about a rematch with Lee, instead?
Per Scott Gilfoid of Boxing News 24, Lee would like the opportunity to win back his WBO title: "I can’t complain about the decision. I would like another go at it. I felt I finished stronger."
However, the duo hardly set the Manchester Arena on fire with their first bout. Perhaps the two southpaws would be better served going their separate ways.
5. Miguel Cotto
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Following his defeat to Saul Alvarez in November, Miguel Cotto's ring future remains unclear.
"Junito" could opt to drop back down in weight, having previously won world titles at light welter, welter and super welterweight in his career.
However, if Cotto (40-5, 33 KOs) wants to stick around at the middleweight limit of 160 pounds, Saunders would love the chance to face the 35-year-old.
The new WBO champion wouldn't hesitate if offered the chance of taking on Cotto, per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News: "Since I've been a young boy I thought I’d love that fight. I’d take it next."
It might be a long shot, but if Cotto wants to get a major belt, then a bout against Saunders on American soil could be possible. Then again, it might not.
For now, though, Saunders deserves to dream.
4. Arif Magomedov
3 of 6Arif Magomedov isn't a major name in a crowded middleweight division. Well, not yet he isn't.
The Russian boasts a 17-fight unbeaten record and was ranked No. 2 in the WBO's top 10 before Saunders' title win, according to FightNews.com.
He was last seen stopping Jonathan Tavira in Round 7 in California on December 12.
Promoter Kathy Duva has high hopes for the 23-year-old, telling Anson Wainwright of The Ring Magazine: "I think that Arif really has the chops to go all the way. He has an electric persona and an exciting style."
If Magomedov is chosen as the mandatory challenger by the WBO, Saunders could decide to get him out of the way early.
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3. Daniel Jacobs
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Daniel Jacobs (31-1, 28 KOs) was hoping Billy Joe Saunders failed in his bid to win the WBO title from Andy Lee. It wasn't personal, just business.
Jacobs had spoken prior to the fight in Manchester about a unification fight with Lee in New York next year, per Scott Christ of Bad Left Hook.
That doesn't mean, however, that Saunders isn't also an option.
The 28-year-old from Brooklyn—who dismantled Peter Quillin inside a round on December 5—watched the Saunders-Lee bout while working for American broadcasters Showtime.
According to Scott Gilfoid of Boxing News 24, the reigning WBA regular champion said: "I think he [Saunders] is an incredible talent, and I think me putting my skills up against him would be a barn-burner."
2. Tommy Langford
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Tommy Langford was in action on the undercard to Saunders' title win in Manchester.
The 26-year-old from Birmingham, England, defended the WBO Inter-Continental belt by stopping Robert Swierzbinski in Round 5.
Prior to his 15th successive victory as a pro, Langford expressed a willingness to take on the winner of the bout between Saunders and Lee.
He told Behind The Gloves: "My first child is due in April so I’d like to get that out of the way and, ideally, I’d prefer another three or four fights so I’d be more than ready but if a chance was offered early next year I’d take it, 100 per cent."
Promoter Frank Warren would have few problems making the bout, considering he promotes both Langford and Saunders.
Warren did something similar with WBO super welterweight champion Liam Smith, putting him in against Jimmy Kelly—who had previously fought on the same bill as Beefy—in his maiden defence.
1. Chris Eubank Jr.
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Chris Eubank Jr. and Saunders are the best of enemies.
The two Englishmen fought in November 2014, with Saunders winning on points. However, there is still bad blood between the pair.
After seeing his compatriot crowned the new WBO champion, Eubank Jr. (21-1, 16 KOs) took to Twitter to call for a rematch in 2016.
Saunders was asked about his former foe after the win over Lee. Per Kevin Mitchell of the Guardian, he said: "Eubank is fighting people I beat two years ago. Let Eubank go the Golovkin route, the way he said he was going to go, with the WBA. Let him fight Daniel Jacobs or whoever he says he’s fighting."
However, with Eubank Jr. ending his three-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing early, the possibility of a second meeting has suddenly grown.
Financially, it would make sense for Saunders.
It is likely to be the biggest bout out there in the immediate future, and the rivalry would create headlines and line each other's pockets.
Who would you pick for Saunders to face in his first defence? Give us your thoughts via the comments section.
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