Have you ever seen a turnaround quite like the perception of BJS after one fight?

I'm one of those people, but I think thats fair enough. Since Saunders, his opponents haven't been great and they've all had a style suited to him. but on paper, Groves is all wrong for him apart from the stamina, and groves is a lot bigger. so if Eubank Jr does win, he should rightly get the acclaim he deserves and people will know, instead of suspect, that he is truly world class

 

Douglas after he beat Tyson, though a lot of people felt Tyson was off form, Mike fought exactly like Lemieux that night and got dominated the same way. It was the same as the Roy Jones v Toney fight except Jones wasn`t hated people were just unsure about him.

 

I already see people claiming Groves is washed up so they don't have to give Jr credit? These are people who 5 mins ago were saying Groves annhilates him

I have doubts much will change tbh

 

To answer the OP. Look at the perception 4 months ago after the Munroe fight and now he’s Ali apparently. So no I’ve never seen a turnaround quite like this!

He’s a great technician, he’s very slick, he’s improved his fitness 10 fold. He lacks power though and for me the Canelo’s and GGG’s will be cutting off the ring and cornering him and he doesn’t have the power to hold them off. I think he gets destroyed by either of them. That’s not a put down and there’s no shame in that, these two are just an elite level that nobody else comes close to for me.

 

I think it's unfair to compare Billy Joe Saunders to Tyson Fury in this case. I doubt anyone really gave Tyson a chance against Wlad, I know I didn't, and that's even though I like him and am actually a big fan.
Billy Joe I don't really know anyone who knows boxing that ever would have said he wasn't world class, they're now just giving dues to the man for doing as good a job on Liemieux as he could have done, even if that was predictable to you, does it not still deserve credit? The only thing I can suspect is that you're referring to casuals? Of whom there are unfortunately, many amongst us, in the UK

 

I don't think the Jr situation is comparable, really. I think picking Groves (as I am) to beat him is much more justifiable than picking Lemeiux who realistically had a puncher's chance. Lemeiux is good at what he does, however what he does is absolutely tailor made for Saunders. Saunders has always had excellent technical ability, that shouldn't have been doubted, but some always will. But I do think the win is being over hyped a little.

 

I think what we have to acknowledge and admire is BJS turnaroud with his mindset, training and conditioning. The way he has turned this around with Dominic ingle and his team is amazing. I've always been a Saunders fan but over the last 2 years felt let down by him and personally thought he was finished as he did not have it in him. The fight I want to see is GGG or canello. With BJS style if he is unfit he makes terrible viewing. Conditioning mixed with his style and ring craft makes fantastic viewing, for me that's why everyone has jumped on the hype, I mean he's impressed the US market, what more can you say

 

Are British fight fans ever happy when there fighters are doing well or getting praise???

 

There was no denying that Saunders' reign could be seen as holding the belt hostage. Certainly with his insane money demands in mind.
It took him over 20 months before he finally fought (a substitute for) his mandatory and then Lemieux right after because the WBO ordered him to.
And after clearly beating Spike years ago, he usually only edged his opponents since, if they weren't total pushovers to begin with.

I was surprised how easily he beat Lemieux, as I really thought he wouldn't leave Canada with his belt.

 

The hatred towards Hatton after he lost to Floyd always surprised me. It was almost like he'd been disowned.

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Attitudes have changed towards Billy big time now. That fight is the key to getting the elite in the ring.
What we saw was someone with excellent movement and judgement of distance and decent speed. I thought billy would be slick but get cought. Well he was no where near in danger which if your a bit slow footed and handed could be your Kryptonight you cant hurt what you can hit. While Alvarez has better hand speed and combos than Lemiux and Golovkins has fight changing power and a granite chin and great stamina both are slow footed. Saunders VS either of em could make interesting viewing.