Callum Smith Predicts Canelo Alvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders

Callum Smith has his pick for the planned May scrap between Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders.

Canelo vs. Saunders is scheduled to take place if Canelo can get past Avni Yildirim on February 27. Canelo has made it a mission to unify all the major gold at 168 pounds. He holds the WBA (Super), WBC, and The Ring Titles. Saunders is the WBO Champion.

Canelo defeated Smith back in December to capture his three super-middleweight titles. Smith has weighed in on how Canelo would fare against Saunders. Here’s what he told BoxingScene.com.

“I think the Billy Joe fight is interesting, we’ve always said it would be interesting against a mover and against a southpaw and stuff like that, but after being in with Canelo I think Billy Joe has the style to stay out of trouble and probably frustrate him but I don’t think he’s got the power or accuracy to catch him and put a dent in him and get his respect. Canelo’s so hard to hit clean I think it will be a matter of time before he starts to land and get to Billy Joe.”

If Canelo is able to handle business against Saunders and Yildirim, then he’ll likely go after the IBF gold. That title is currently held by Caleb Plant. If Canelo can capture the WBO and IBF gold, he’d be recognized as the undisputed super-middleweight champion.

Up to this point, Saunders has amassed an undefeated record of 30-0. He’s had two successful WBO Title defenses. One was a knockout win over Marcelo Esteban Coceres. The other came against John Ryder via unanimous decision.