Former prisoner Avtandil Khurtsidze is seeking a long-awaited fight with Billy Joe Saunders, six years after their scheduled showdown was canceled due to Khurtsidze’s arrest. Khurtsidze, a Georgian middleweight contender, had the opportunity to become his country’s first-ever boxing world champion but was arrested in New York just a month before the fight. He was later found guilty of engaging in extortion and violence as part of a criminal gang and was sentenced to ten years in prison.
Now a free man, Khurtsidze has expressed his desire to step back into the ring and face Saunders, who has also faced his fair share of ups and downs in his career. Saunders became a two-weight world champion but experienced his first defeat against Canelo Alvarez in 2021. After a two-year hiatus, he is eager to make a comeback.
Despite the longing for a rematch between Khurtsidze and Saunders, it seems unlikely that the fight will ever happen. However, in the unpredictable world of boxing, stranger things have occurred.
Khurtsidze, now 44 years old, has revealed that he stayed dedicated to boxing during his time in prison, training and exercising six days a week in the hope of returning to the ring. He believes he could be the perfect opponent for Saunders’ comeback fight and has publicly expressed his readiness to face him. Whether or not Saunders will accept the challenge remains to be seen.
The circumstances surrounding Khurtsidze’s arrest and subsequent imprisonment came as a surprise to the boxing community. The canceled fight with Saunders resulted in the loss of his interim belt and mandatory position. Serving more than five years behind bars, Khurtsidze maintained discipline and respect while incarcerated, using his time to stay connected with the sport through television.
While the chances of a rematch seem slim, Khurtsidze’s determination and desire to step back into the ring are evident. As for Saunders, he continues to work towards his comeback, hoping to regain his position in the boxing world after his defeat against Canelo Alvarez.
Only time will tell if fate aligns for Khurtsidze and Saunders to meet once again in the boxing ring. Until then, fans can only speculate and curious onlookers can admire the resilience and determination of both fighters as they navigate their respective journeys in the sport.
