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

It's quite hysterical.

I think every British boxing fan, even haters of Saunders have always known he is an unbelievable technician in the ring.

However, let's not get it twisted, Lemieux is ****ing garbage and any slickster would do a job on him. I predicted that Saunders would do a 12-0 demolition job on Lemieux way back when he had just delivered a career worst performance against Akavov and most people thought he was finished. Fat ****er Dan Rafael in particular was relentlessly laying into him every other day on Twitter.

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threa...man-at-160-if-it-was-not-for-golovkin.583220/
(See five posts down)

Fast forward to now and the reaction to him schooling Lemieux is a little OTT. It's mental. Just seen Leonard Ellerbe tweeting him praise and it kinda prompted me to make a thread because I was banned when the fight took place and couldn't have my say here. Clearly TMT is interested in signing him.

BJS is class and defo gives anyone problems but people are going way overboard. Lemieux is literally crap as a boxer he is a one trick pony and tailor made for any slickster. I think anyone who watches boxing seriously and had seen the two fight would have known that Saunders would most likely deliver a boxing lesson.

 

Let me add that I think we'll see the exact same turnaround after Young Christopher dismantles Groves next month. The exact same thing will happen. All the Eubank haters will 180 just like those who slated Saunders for "keeping the belt hostage".

 

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

 

Another example that just came to mind is Fury after beating Klitschko but it wasn't quite as dramatic as Saunders' reaction because the win wasn't quite as emphatic and punishing.

Degale to an extent as well after winning the title against Dirrell. At least in the way he gained respect after being previously hated by the majority.

 

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

 

You're probably right but a lot of notable haters from the General section will 100% change their minds and jump on the bandwagon. The win will be so emphatic they will have no choice.

 

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

 

Not even just casuals mate. Joe Rogan had never uttered the words "Boilly Joe Saunders" previously and then he's on his podcast absolutely raving about how he's one of the best around.

Mayweather and Ellerbe have been talking about him. His former biggest hater Dan Rafael is now praising him.

You have threads now on the General Section about a fantasy H2H between James Toney and Saunders.

I have never seen a turnaround like this in the general educated boxing public before.

Can't knock it, fair play Saunders, at least the eyes of the world will be on his next bout.

 

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.