Billy Joe Saunders will defend his WBO super middleweight title for the first time on the KSI vs. Logan Paul 2 show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday November 9th, live on DAZN. [KSI and Paul are social media personalities with no boxing talent whatsoever. They previously slapped their way to a draw in an amateur bout and got their pro licenses especially for this bout. Their fight is the main event because of the large number of followers they have, but make no mistake about it, anyone who has carried a spit bucket or swept a gym floor would likely be a prohibitive favorite over either KSI or Paul]. Saunders (28-0, 13 KOs) became a two-weight champion with a shutout points win over Shefat Isufi in Stevenage earlier this year.
The Hatfield southpaw’s first world title came against Andy Lee at Manchester Arena in December 2015 when he floored the former champion twice in the third round en route to a majority decision to claim the WBO Middleweight crown.
Saunders signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in August and hopes to secure megafights with the likes of Callum Smith, Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez.
“It feels like my professional debut all over again,” said Saunders. “I’m very excited to fight in front of the American fans for the first time in my professional career. The Staples Center is an unbelievable venue and I’m hearing that 20,000 people are expected to be packed in on the night.
“It’s a great chance to get some new fans onboard and a chance to capitalise on putting my name in the big lights in America. The KSI vs. Logan Paul rematch has really captured the imagination of the British and American public and it’s something that sells. Fair play to them both, it’s going to be a great show.
“People say, ‘oh you’re on the undercard’, but I feel like we’re all sharing the show, we’re all absorbing that energy off the fans. I’ve seen the numbers they attract, over six million people watched the press conference alone, and all eyes will be on us on November 9th.
“I’m looking forward to making my debut with Matchroom Boxing live on DAZN. There’s been some brilliant names signed to DAZN recently and there’s some big names on the platform. It’s time to really put my impressing shoes on and put my name out there for those big fights to be made.”
“I’m really pleased for Billy that he will get to make his US debut on November 9th at the superb Staples Center,” said Eddie Hearn. “Everyone in the sport knows that he is one of the best out there at 160 and 168 pounds and he wanted the opportunity to prove that he IS the best.
“This event will be huge with a chance for Billy to box in front of a massive global audience of boxing fans and a casual audience that we hope will fall in love with our sport. A strong performance in November can set up all the mega fights for him in 2020.”
