Billy Joe Saunders has stepped into the spotlight, offering to replace Tommy Fury in a fight against Darren Till after the latter pulled out of their planned January 19th bout. Tommy Fury’s withdrawal has raised eyebrows, especially after Darren Till’s controversial comments at a November press conference, where he threatened to use MMA tactics, including a head kick, if he found himself losing in the later stages of the fight. This has led many to question the reasons behind Tommy’s decision, and Saunders has shared his thoughts on the situation.

In a recent interview with TalkSport’s Adam Catterall, Saunders commented on the drama surrounding the fight. He acknowledged that Tommy Fury may have pulled out for various personal reasons, but suggested that it might be more than just a fear of being hurt. Saunders questioned whether Tommy’s decision was influenced by being mentally unprepared for Till’s unorthodox approach, including the threat of MMA-style moves, or if it had to do with injury concerns.

Saunders, who is well known for his own experience in the ring, particularly after his battle with Canelo Alvarez, pointed out that boxing is a mentally demanding sport, and it’s not uncommon for a fighter to back out if they feel mentally or physically unprepared. He also reminded everyone that, despite being out of the ring for some time, he would be willing to step in and fight Darren Till, calling the potential match a “level playing field” given his own experience in boxing.

“I’m a travelling man, and I’d be happy to get in the ring with Darren Till,” Saunders said, adding that he was not concerned with weight limits and was open to fighting in any shape or size. He also noted that even though he hadn’t been in the ring for a few years, his wealth of experience in the sport would put him on equal footing with Till, who has been primarily focused on MMA rather than traditional boxing.

When asked whether Tommy Fury had “bottled it” by pulling out, Saunders responded carefully, acknowledging that every fighter makes decisions for their own reasons. However, he expressed surprise that Tommy had pulled out so quickly after the press conference incident. “Look, this is boxing—mental warfare is a part of the game,” Saunders stated. “Sometimes fighters say outrageous things to get into their opponent’s head, but that doesn’t mean the fight should be called off.”

Saunders also took the time to address the ongoing narrative of the Fury family’s reputation for intimidation, especially in press conferences and other public events. He suggested that while the Fury family has often been able to mentally dominate opponents, Darren Till’s response may have thrown Tommy off balance. “If Tommy is pulling out because he’s mentally weak or doesn’t want to take the fight, that’s his decision,” Saunders said. “But at the end of the day, we’re in the fight game, and you have to be prepared for all the mental and physical challenges that come with it.”

Regarding the potential for Tommy Fury to return to the ring against a different opponent, Saunders weighed in on whether Tommy should consider fighting more experienced boxers instead of focusing on YouTubers or MMA fighters. “Tommy has other avenues outside boxing, and if he wants to continue fighting, he’s in a position where he can pick his opponents,” Saunders explained. “But at some point, you have to prove yourself against the best, and if that’s what Tommy wants, then he should step up.”

As for his own plans, Saunders emphasized that he would be ready to step in if the deal was right. He mentioned that despite being out of the ring for a while, he would still have the edge over many of Till’s potential opponents.

The situation surrounding Tommy Fury’s withdrawal has sparked heated discussions among fans and pundits alike. While Saunders is offering himself as a replacement, it’s still unclear who Darren Till will face in the ring on January 19th. Whether Tommy Fury will return to the fight scene soon or continue to focus on other opportunities remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the drama surrounding this potential matchup is far from over.