It appears that Billy Joe Saunders’ comeback fight won’t be staged by his most recent promoter. 

Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn said he and the former super middleweight champion Saunders were unable to strike a deal for Saunders’ return bout. 

“We looked at it, talked some numbers. I don’t think we can deliver what he wants us to deliver for him. So we’re happy for him to take whatever opportunities. I’d love to see Billy Joe Saunders back with us or with somebody else. Billy always needs a date to work toward, and he’s a fantastic talent,” Hearn told Boxing Social.

Saunders (30-1, 14 KOs) has not fought since May 2021 when he lost his 168-pound WBO title to Canelo Alvarez via eighth-round stoppage due to a fractured right orbital bone.

Weeks after the fight, Saunders said he was contemplating retirement and even attached a 50-50 figure to it, but an official announcement never materialized. 

Saunders reportedly started training again in June. 

Hearn signed Saunders to a promotional deal in August 2019 after the fighter parted ways with longtime promoter Frank Warren. 

The slick southpaw Saunders turned pro in 2009 and has beaten the likes of Chris Eubank Jr., David Lemieux, Andy Lee, John Ryder, Martin Murray, and Gary O’Sullivan.

He will turn 33 years old at the end of August.

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on www.ManoukAkopyan.com.