Billy Joe Saunders has withdrawn from his WBO Middleweight title defense against Martin Murray on June 23rd due to injury.
The fight, which was scheduled to take place at the O2 arena in London, has been canceled for the second time. It was first moved from March to June after Saunders had suffered a hand injury while he was training.
Murray believes that Saunders has intentionally canceled the bout in order to earn a match against Gennady Golovkin. Golovkin’s re-match against Canelo Alvarez is being delayed due to payment disagreements and in the end, Canelo may end up choosing another opponent which could be Saunders. Golovkin is under pressure to find mandatory challengers for his two middleweight belts if the Alvarez match falls through.
If Murray ends up fighting Golovkin, the fight will likely take place at a big venue, possibly the London Stadium.
Alvarez will also need a credible opponent for his Mexico Independence Day fight in Las Vegas on September 15.
