By Scott Gilfoid: Unbeaten #9 WBO contender Rob Brant (20-0, 13 KOs) is interested in challenging WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders (23-0, 12 KOs) for his next fight on September 17 on the undercard of the Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Liam Smith card. Saunders, 27, still doesn’t have an opponent picked out for his initial title defense, the 25-year-old Brant would like to be the guy that faces him.
Brant is currently scheduled to fight on August 7 against an opponent still to be determined at the Pechanga Resort in Temecula, California. However, it’s possible that he could be pulled from that card to fight Saunders if the interest is there from the British fighter.
Saunders has to fight someone eventually because he still hasn’t made his first title defense of his WBO belt after winning it seven months ago in December. It was thought that Saunders would be an active champion after he picked up the WBO belt, but he’s proven to be totally inactive. He suffered a hand injury that wiped out a title defense against Max Bursak last April. There wasn’t a heck of a lot of interest in that Saunders-Bursak fight, and you have to wonder why such a mediocre opponent was selected.
“I have the utmost respect Billy Joe Saunders as an athlete,” said Brant. “I respect him so much that I would really enjoy giving him a grand welcome to the United States in the middle of the square circle.”
I think Brant would be seen as too much of a threat for Saunders, because he would be a tremendous jump up from Bursak. The fact that Saunders was on the verge of defending his title against Bursak kind of gives you an idea of the type of opposition they’re looking for Saunders to fight in his first defense.
Saunders has been rumored to be a potential opponent for Canelo Alvarez in December if the Mexican fighter beats Liam Smith on September 17. I doubt that Saunders would want to risk losing a potential payday fight against Canelo by risking his hide against Brand. I’m just saying. I don’t see Saunders fighting a life body on September 17. I think it’s going to someone that he can beat while in 1st gear for 12 rounds. I don’t see him fighting anyone that is a threat to him for his September 17 title defense.
“Rob Brant is the perfect choice for Saunders in that fight,” said Brant’s promoter, Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions. “He’s red hot right now. He’s undefeated and makes for exciting fights and he’s got a fan following from his television appearances. Saunders vs. Brant makes great sense for boxing fans and from a business perspective.”