Saunders makes delayed middleweight title defence with Akavov clash in Glasgow

Champion taking nothing for granted

Saunders had also been scheduled to collide with his Brooklyn-based Russian opponent last weekend in Cardiff, but this was put back due to issues with medical paperwork supplied by the challenger’s team.

Following so many delays and 11 months of being out of action, the Hatfield traveller will be keen to return with a strong showing against Akavov, who is somewhat of an unknown equity despite being ranked at number 10 by the WBO.

Also boasting career victories over Chris Eubank Jr, John Ryder and Nick Blackwell, the former British, Commonwealth and European titlist is 5/4 to outpoint his next foe in front of a Glaswegian crowd and hopes to move on to a potential meeting with division kingpin Gennady Golovkin in 2017.

“Nothing comes easy in boxing and I’m definitely not taking Akavov for granted,” stated Saunders, who will have absent world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in his corner. “He’s a strong fighter and very dangerous and if I don’t come in 100 per cent then he could cause an upset in my first title defence.

“I’m ready to fight him wherever…”

“I’m ready to fight [Golovkin] wherever, in England, in America or in a field. There’s nothing that can get in the way of stopping this. I’m not pricing myself out, I will fight any man born.

“He’s a good puncher, a good puncher and has a good chin. But he’s a man and he’s definitely beatable.”

Contesting ‘GGG’ next year would represent a mammoth step up in class from fighting Akavov, while a fresh feud with former foe Eubank Jr has increased speculation that they could meet again for a rematch.

Golovkin’s representatives stated that they previously made an offer in the region of £2.2m to Saunders to take on the Kazakh KO machine, but it was turned down for not being enough for such a high-profile bout.

The unbeaten southpaw will first have to overcome whatever threat is posed by 30-year-old Akavov, though, and he is 7/2 to halt the Russian inside rounds 4-6 or 11/4 for a later stoppage in 7-9.

Who is challenger Akavov?

With the situation surrounding Saunders’ maiden title defence, including a surprise venue and such a long delay, many have questioned the prowess of his challenger. But who is Akavov?

The southpaw boasts quite a solid amateur background and possesses enough power to end bouts early, with seven of his last eight outings having been ended inside the distance.

His previous two were also held in New York after signing with promoter Lou Di Bella, following outings in his homeland and Estonia, and he is 25/1 to KO the champion.

Despite his previous experience, though, Akavov is yet to come up against anyone at the level of Saunders in his career, who holds smooth southpaw skills and advantageous footwork.

The reigning WBO champion will therefore look to secure a strong maiden title defence, ahead of supposed showdowns against the likes of Canelo or Golovkin, which have been outlined by promoter Frank Warren in recent weeks.

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