Ireland’s Canelo Clone says Saunders will ‘have it’ with Canelo on occasion

He may have caused uproar in looking for a bigger ring but Billy Joe Saunders is planning to have some phonebox moments when fighting Saul Canelo Alvarez at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Saturday, according to one of the English fighter’s sparring partners.

Irish boxing’s Canelo clone, Caoimhin Agyarko, was drafted in to spar Saunders ahead of his fight with the Mexican megastar – and having spent weeks with the slick southpaw predicts the WBO super middleweight champion will hold his ground on occasion this weekend.

As per usual, Saunders is expected to consult his boxing brain and skill set during the fight – and while the exciting Belfast prospect Agyarko believes that will be the case for the most part, he warns there will be times the Brit will stand and ‘have it’ with the Mexican superstar.

“I’m not sure how he will approach the fight. I hope he uses his boxing brain and movement, I think he will, but also I think he’ll show he can stand and have it with Canelo. I think he will have to do to that at times,” Agyarko told Irish-boxing.com before revealing Saunders is in with a good chance of a famous win this weekend.

“I think he can pull off an upset and come away with the win.”

‘BJS’ wasn’t the first fighter to call Agyarko in for sparring ahead of a Canelo fight. Callum Smith did exactly the same before he fought the Mexician last December.

The Belfast middleweight believes his sparring services are requested because his style is similar to the former Golden Boy cash cow.

“I think my style is very similar to his, we throw certain shots the same way. I’ve also got good head movement and speed for a middleweight just like Canelo,” he continues before revealing he never did or was asked to mimic the multi-weight world champion.

“Never,” he responds when asked if he was given instruction to be Canelo like “and if I was asked to I wouldn’t. If my styles good enough so be it if not then I’m not the right person for the job.”

The 24-year-old admits being asked to spar Canelo’s two most recent British opponent is a massive compliment and even a confidence boost.

“For me, Canelo is the 0ound-for-pound champ and to be asked to help world champions prepare to fight him in the biggest fight of their career is a compliment to my style and to me as a fighter.”

There is rumour Agyarko is on the verge of confirming a title fight and will make a sizeable step up next time out. ‘Black Thunder’ told Irish-boxing.com that he will have official news with regard to his first fight tomorrow night.

“I’ve been in camp for a long time now nearly ten weeks I’ve got a date I can’t announce it just yet but it should be announced next week.”