Billy Joe Saunders earned $8million for defeat to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, it’s revealed

Billy Joe Saunders is understood to have collected $8million from his defeat to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.

The pound-for-pound king stopped his British opponent - the first defeat of the his career - by breaking his orbital bone during the eighth round, preventing him from coming out for the ninth.

3

Coming into the fight Saunders was a two-weight world champion with a 30-0 record.

As such, he was always going to command a hefty purse for his career-defining task.

According to he earned $8million (£5.66million) for the fight.

This should mean he is set for life, which is positive news considering the fact that some are speculating he may now never return to the ring.

3

3

The fight began positively for Canelo who was the more active of the pair early on.

He confused Saunders with feints before hammering home telling body shots.

However, the Brit then seized momentum and appeared to be starting to win rounds himself.

His output increased and he was having more and more success up until the eighth and final round.

In this session, Saunders staggered back after being caught with a big counter right uppercut, which caused serious eye damage, and he just survived the round before his corner ended the fight.

And Canelo's trainer, Eddy Reynoso, has wished him well in his recovery from surgery.

"On behalf of the entire team that make up the Canelo team, we wish you a speedy recovery and that you continue on in your wonderful champion career. Blessings."

That sentiment was backed up Tyson Fury, who exclusively told talkSPORT he would bounce back to the top.

“He did, he put on a good show and he done his best,” Fury told talkSPORT 2. “He got caught with a massive punch and this is boxing and it happens.

“But there is no shame in losing on the night and he done his best, and that is it.

“He will be back stronger and he will win another belt.”