Billy Joe Saunders says he has been revitalised by a change of trainer as he attempts to become a two-weight world champion on Saturday night.
The 29-year-old fights Shefat Isufi for the WBO super-middleweight title at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium, aiming for a fresh start after several setbacks.
Saunders was stripped of the WBO middleweight title after a positive test for the stimulant oxilofrine meant he was refused a licence for a planned defence and he was also hit by a £100,000 fine for bringing the sport into disrepute after taunting a female drug user and offering her cash to perform a sex act.
Having teamed up with Tyson Fury’s trainer Ben Davison after ending his relationship with Dominic Ingle, Saunders said: “There is no secret that 2018 was a terrible year. Everything got to me. I needed a complete change because my head was going stale.
“As a fighter, that is what I needed to get that spark.
“I have enjoyed boxing and training again. I have to be happy at what I am doing and I will get the best out of myself.”
Saunders v Isufi is on BT Sport 1 tomorrow from 7.30pm.
