Philippines, 06 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Billy Joe Saunders 167.3, Murray 167.4 in London, England


PhilBoxing.com




British WBO super middleweight world champion Billy Joe Saunders will be making the 2nd defense of his belt against compatriot Martin Murray Friday, December 4 (early Saturday in Manila) at the famed Wembley Arena in England.

The champion Saunders weighed-in at 167.3 pounds, while the challenger Murray came-in at 167.4 lbs, both men looking in great shape, ready to rumble. 👍

The clash will be the 2nd world title defense for Billy Joe Saunders (29-0, 14 KO’s), who comes into this fight with an impeccable undefeated record as well as vast experience.

Notably, Saunders and Murray will climb the ring after a whole year of inactivity, fans wondering if the ring rust factor could affect any of them or both.

Martin Murray (39-5-1, 17 KO’s) is a 38-year-old veteran fighter who has already unsuccessfully contested 3 times for world titles against high-caliber warriors Kazakhstan’s Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, German Arthur Abraham and Argentine Sergio Martínez.

Does Murray have enough in his fighting arsenal to beat Saunders to the punch?


Saunders poses during Thursday's weighin in London.

Fans in the U.K. want to watch Billy Joe Saunders checking his battling quality against a tough matured boxer as Martin Murray; they want to see how the war unfolds and how will it end.

However, to most fans Martin Murray is not a serious threat to Saunders. Many doubt that he can dethrone the trash-taker. But Saunders is a trash-taker who backs his mouth with win after win. Will that be the same today?

Also, Murray lacks explosive punch in his weaponry, plus, at 38 years of age, it’s seems that his best fighting years are in the back mirror.

Opinion: Billy Joe Saunders should win. Because he is the freshest, youngest fighter, with right smarts, outstanding skills, as well as boxing maturity, so I think that once the rust is shaken off, Saunders should impose his quality and power to win comfortably over Murray tomorrow in England, retaining Saunders his 168-pound belt.

Then, should Saunders win as we think, he might be next in line to battle popular Mexican Champion Canelo Alvarez in a super middleweight unification war. That would be an excellent fight, I’m sure.

For that, Canelo needs to beat his December 12 opponent Briton Callum Smith.

Will Canelo and Saunders emerge victorious from their respective battles for them to clash in 2021?

Saunders vs Murray today Friday in London is a promotion of Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing live on DAZN.


The author boxing writer Carlos Costa lives in Cebu and can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and WhatsApp +639184538152.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • “Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • “I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.