By Danny Winterbottom

With just two weeks to go before Billy Joe Saunders (20-0, 11 KO’s) puts his British, Commonwealth and European middleweight titles on the line against Chris Eubank Jnr (18-0, 13 KO’s) at the Excel Arena in London in the biggest domestic grudge match for years, BoxingScene spoke exclusively to Saunders from his training camp in Marbella as the champion outlined just what he has in store for his rival on November 29.

“I’m putting myself through this camp, away from my boys and everyone I know, because I want to go in there and do a real number on this fella.

“I don’t just want to beat him I want to crucify him! That’s not me going in there and losing my temper and swinging wild punches.  That is with clinical boxing that will break him down physically and mentally.”

In 1992 Jimmy Tibbs, Saunders’ trainer took Nigel Benn away from the distractions of home and into camp in Tenerife as the ‘Dark Destroyer’ prepared for his WBC super-middleweight title challenge to Italian Mauro Galvano.

The move paid off handsomely as Benn hammered his rival in four rounds on away soil, and taking Billy Joe to the MGM gymnasium in Marbella could prove to be a master stroke from the veteran East End fight figure as he prepares to face Eubank Jnr in front of 20,000 fans.

“People know that in the past I haven’t done the weight properly” the southpaw admitted

“I have cut corners with my food but out here in Spain I have been drinking and eating to perfection because I know how many people want to see Eubank on his arse and I am the man to do it!

“I feel the best I have ever felt” Saunders continued

“I am doing the rounds better than ever (in sparring) and I have got sparring partners who aren’t just out here for me to beat up.

“We’ve got a light heavyweight and I have paid for a fighter to come over who has fast hands, speed and skill.  My sparring partners are better than Eubank!”

Back in September WBO president Paco Valcarvcel announced that 25-year-old Saunders was in line to challenge for the vacant world title after champion Peter Quillin chose to vacate the belt rather than face unbeaten American based Russian, and former outstanding amateur, Matt Korobov.

Billy Joe was then seemingly over looked in favour of the WBO’s 154lbs champion Demetrius Andrade who announced his desire to move up to middleweight only for Valcarvcel to then announce that Andrade would stay at light middleweight after all!

However, despite the likely hood of a world title shot happening in England Saunders decided to face Eubank Jnr first, as he explained.

“The fight makes financial sense for both of us” said Saunders

“He (Eubank Jnr) is getting very well paid for this fight, a six figure sum.  He is probably getting more than his dad did when he fought Steve Collins.

“Listen.  When I beat Eubank there is nobody left domestically to face unless you are talking about Martin Murray (who boxes Gennady Golovkin in February for the WBA super world middleweight title and the IBO middleweight title) or (Matthew) Macklin.

“There is a chance that I could fight Andy Lee if he comes through (against Korobov) for the world title but I am not looking past the 29th.”

Eubank and Saunders’ rivalry is yet to see a punch thrown in anger and despite Billy Joe’s claim that he would retire if he is beaten by the Brighton man later this month there is surely the potential of a long lasting and volatile rivalry building between the pair?

“After the 29th, unless there is big money involved there will be no rematch” Saunders countered

“I’m not being cocky or arrogant, I’m being confident because of the work I have put in.

“Look, the bookies are very rarely wrong, and I am a big favourite going into the fight for a reason.  I have the fights behind me, the experience of championship fights; everything stacks up in my favour.”

Saunders could hardly contain his anger earlier this month when Eubank Jnr failed to show up for a scheduled press conference in London to promote the fight (Eubank Snr believed Saunders would attack his son), even though the Hatfield traveller had cut short his camp in Marbella to attend.

It was the second conference that Eubank Jnr has missed leaving promoter Frank Warren ‘angry’ and boxing fans hoping that this most anticipated of fights goes ahead.

“Chris Snr controls his son” said Saunders

“Eubank is getting very well paid.  His dad has gone through a lot of money so I believe that he will go ahead with the fight, there is too much money at stake.

“His dad is a very good talker, we all know that.  He has managed to talk his son to the front of a queue of maybe seven good fighters.  He has skipped the queue.”

“And let’s face it if he pulls out he is gonna make himself look a right c*nt ain’t he?!

The bout takes place on the huge Frank Warren promoted Excel Arena card, dubbed appropriately, Bad Blood with Dereck Chisora and Tyson Fury’s massive heavyweight rematch headlining the show.

Eubank Jnr will take part in his first championship contest on the night, and his first on such a big stage, whereas Hatfield’s Saunders will compete in his eleventh title bout despite both having a similar amount of fights.

“I’m sure it’s the biggest stage he’s boxed on.  Me? No because I’ve boxed at an Olympic Games at the age of 18.  I have been on (Amir) Khan bills right before the main event and it has been packed out.  I am British, Commonwealth and European champion so I’m used to boxing under pressure.

“He calls me ‘average’ but I bet there are many people out there who would like to be as average as me!“

“He can talk all he wants. We both come from fighting stock and on November 29 we will see who the best man is.”