Queensberry Promotions

Billy Joe Saunders has informed WBN of his purse demands for a possible WBO middleweight title defence on the Canelo Alvarez v Liam Smith undercard this autumn.

The undefeated world champion is currently in negotiations to star on the HBO PPV card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas but wants a hefty cheque for his appearance which he hopes will be sorted out soon.

“It looks like I’ll be defending my title on the Canelo v Smith undercard in Las Vegas,” Saunders exclusively told World Boxing News.

“There’s just a few things to sort out, like my visa for one, but it’s very close. I just have to get my two million dollars and then I’ll be fighting on the undercard.”

Saunders is due a voluntary by the World Boxing Organisation after defeating Andy Lee to claim the belt – which means anyone in the top fifteen of the WBO rankings can be his opponent on September 17.

The likes of Ryota Murata, David Lemieux, Hassan N’Dam, Curtis Stevens, Tureano Johnson and stablemate Tommy Langford could come into play for what will be Saunders’ US debut once officially finalized.

Saunders joins a mandatory WBA heavyweight battle between interim champion Luis Ortiz and Russian Alexander Ustinov on the high-profile event – with plenty more fights to be added in the next few weeks.