Billy Joe Saunders is aiming to become a two-time world champion when he takes on Shefat Isufi for the vacant WBO super middleweight title on Saturday.
Periods of inactivity and some of his antics away from the boxing ring have threatened to undermine Saunders’ prowess inside it.
Last year, the 29-year-old vacated his WBO middleweight title after testing positive for oxilofrine, a substance banned in Massachusetts where his title bout against Demetrius Andrade was scheduled to take place.
Another chance for redemption awaits this weekend.
His meeting with Isufi was originally for the WBO interim belt but will now be staged for the full title following Gilberto Ramirez’s decision to vacate the strap and move up to challenge at light-heavyweight.
Germany-based Isufi is unbeaten at super-middleweight and fights in the UK for the first time.
Date, UK start time and venue
Saunders vs Isufi takes place at the Lamex Stadium, home of League Two side Stevenage Town, on Saturday 18 May.
The main event is scheduled to get underway at 10pm at the earliest, depending on how undercard fights pan out.
TV channel and live stream
The fight will be broadcast exclusively in the UK on BT Sport 1.
BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.
Undercard action gets underway at 7:30pm.
Betting odds | Provided by Betfair | Subject to change (UK and Ireland only)
Fight odds
- Saunders to win: 1/100
- Isufi to win: 16/1
- Draw: 33/1
Method of victory
- Saunders to win via points or decision: 10/3
- Saunders to win via KO/TKO: 1/5
- Isufi to win via points or decision: 50/1
- Isufi to win via KO/TKO: 22/1
Click here for more betting odds.
Prediction
A focused Saunders is a true world class operator – a points decision for the former champion.
Undercard
• Joe Joyce vs Alexander Ustinov (heavyweight)
• Brad Foster vs Ashley Lane (super-bantamweight)
• Sanjeev Sahota vs Henrich Herak (super lightweight)
• Harvery Horn vs Joel Sanchez (super flyweight)
• Ryan Garner vs Joe Hernandez (super featherweight)
• Willy Hutchinson vs Ondrej Budera (light heavyweight)
• Kody Davies vs TBA (light heavyweight)
• James Branch vs Jan Hrazdira (cruiserweight)
• Boy Jones vs TBA (lightweight)
