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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 03: Boxing Promoter Eddie Hearn is interviewed ringside during the Clash on Dunes Public Work Out at Public at the Investment Fund office complex on December 03, 2019 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Getty
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 03: Boxing Promoter Eddie Hearn is interviewed ringside during the Clash on Dunes Public Work Out at Public at the Investment Fund office complex on December 03, 2019 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Getty
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 03: Boxing Promoter Eddie Hearn is interviewed ringside during the Clash on Dunes Public Work Out at Public at the Investment Fund office complex on December 03, 2019 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Getty
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 03: Boxing Promoter Eddie Hearn is interviewed ringside during the Clash on Dunes Public Work Out at Public at the Investment Fund office complex on December 03, 2019 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
The Canelo Alvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders fight lived up to the hype as both fighters put on a great show. However, the bout ended somewhat abruptly as Saunders suffered an injury and couldn’t get up. And promoter Eddie Hearn has now given a timely update regarding the same.
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Saunders frustrated Alvarez throughout the fight with his incredible movement. However, in the eighth round, the Mexican caught him with an uppercut on the right orbital bone. As a result, ‘Superb’ quit on the stool and was taken straight to the hospital.
USA Today via Reuters
May 8, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Canelo Alvarez (teal trunks) and Billy Joe Saunders (blue green trunks) during a super middleweight boxing title fight at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Per The Athletic’s Michael Coppinger-
“Bumped into @EddieHearn in the lobby on his way to see Billy Joe Saunders at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. Saunders set to have surgery today on multiple fractures to his orbital bone, a complete blowout, known as a quadripod fracture. Brutal injury.”
Bumped into @EddieHearn in the lobby on his way to see Billy Joe Saunders at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. Saunders set to have surgery today on multiple fractures to his orbital bone, a complete blowout, known as a quadripod fracture. Brutal injury #CaneloSaunders
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) May 9, 2021
This showed the severity of the injury. However, it revealed that the road to recovery has already started for Saunders. Thus, as of now, it appears the injury will not force the former WBO champion to retire.
READ MORE: Canelo Alvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders Fight Purse: How Much Money Did Both Boxers Earn?
Did Eddie Hearn provide an update on his return?
Eddie Hearn’s update revealed that it was not only a single fracture in the orbital bone. Therefore, this will increase Saunders’ time out of the ring. So when can fans expect him to return?
The initial reaction from Hearn after the fight was that ‘Superb’ would be out for ‘a long, long time.’ Unfortunately for the former champion, it will be difficult to put a timeline on his return, as there could be additional complications during recovery.
However, fans will get a better idea regarding his return once the surgery is completed. Despite this, the Englishman needs to prepare to spend at least six months out of the ring, maybe even more. Therefore, it will be a test of Saunders’ mental strength if he is to come back from the injury.
What do you make of this update from Eddie Hearn? Do you think this injury will end Billy Joe Saunders’ career?
READ MORE: What Went Wrong for Billy Joe Saunders Against Canelo Alvarez?