Billy Joe Saunders is a professional British boxer who has won world titles in two weight classes. He has held the WBO middleweight and super-middleweight titles. Known for his technical skills and defensive fighting style, Saunders has competed against some of the biggest names in boxing.
Here you will know Billy Joe Saunders’ net worth, prize money, fight purse, professional career, boxing record, relationship status, and more.
Billy Joe Saunders’ Biography
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Billy Joe Saunders |
| Date of Birth | 30 August 1989 |
| Age | 35 |
| Education | N/A |
| Nationality | British |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight Class | Middleweight & Super-Middleweight |
| Turned Pro | 28 February 2009 |
| Net Worth | $2 million |
| Career Earnings | Over $10 million from major fight purses |
| Relationship Status | Former partner Ruby (three children: two sons, one daughter) |
| Instagram Profile | @bjsaunders |
| Twitter Profile | @BillyJoeSaunders |
Early Career
Growing up in a Romanichal travelling community near Hatfield, Hertfordshire, Saunders began boxing at age seven under the influence of his great-grandfather, a famed bare-knuckle fighter.
His amateur résumé includes representing Great Britain at the 2008 Olympics, where he reached the second round of the welterweight bracket, and winning gold at the same year’s European Union Championships.
Adopting a traditional southpaw stance, he made his professional debut on 28 February 2009, stopping Attila Molnar in the second round. Over the next three years, he compiled a 17–0 record, claiming regional titles along the way.
In April 2012, he won the Commonwealth middleweight belt by defeating Tony Hill, then added the British and European middleweight titles later that year, showcasing both knockout power and ring intelligence that would carry him into world-level contention.
Professional Career
Saunders’s breakthrough arrived in December 2015, when he toppled Andy Lee by majority decision to become the WBO middleweight champion, marking the first world title fight ever contested between two members of Britain’s traveller community.
He defended that belt successfully four times, outpointing contenders like Artur Akavov and Chris Eubank Jr., before moving up to super-middleweight in 2019. There, he captured the WBO crown by stopping Marcelo Coceres and defended it against Shefat Isufi and Martin Murray.
A highly anticipated unification bout with Canelo Álvarez in May 2021 ended in a corner retirement loss for Saunders when a brutal uppercut fractured his orbital bone, yet he walked away with one of boxing’s largest paydays.
Despite setbacks, his record of 30 wins (14 by KO) against just one defeat cements his place among Britain’s best fighters of this generation.
Wife
Saunders has never married but shared a long-term relationship with Ruby, with whom he has three children. Their eldest son, Billy Joe Jr., arrived in 2008 when Saunders was still an amateur, followed by a second son, Steve, in 2010. In 2017, Ruby and Saunders welcomed a daughter, Vienna.
Though the couple has since parted ways, Saunders remains a hands-on father, often speaking about the balance between training camps and family life. He credits his children with keeping him grounded and motivating his ambitions both inside and outside the ring.
Billy Joe Saunders’ Net Worth Details
Billy Joe Saunders’s net worth is estimated to be $2 million as of 2025.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Year | Purse |
|---|---|---|
| Canelo Álvarez | 2021 | $8 million |
| Marcelo Coceres | 2019 | $750,000 |
| Shefat Isufi | 2019 | $500,000 |
| David Lemieux | 2017 | $1 million |
Career Earnings
| Year | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $1 million |
| 2019 | $1.25 million |
| 2021 | $8 million |
Endorsements
Saunders partners with MTK Global for sports management and has appeared in campaigns for sports apparel brands. He occasionally features in lifestyle and fitness media for sponsored content, leveraging his high-profile status to secure deals that boost his off-ring income.
Career Stats
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Fights | 31 |
| Wins | 30 |
| Wins by KO | 14 |
| Losses | 1 |
| World Titles | 2 (WBO MW, WBO SMW) |
FAQs
1. What world titles has Saunders won?
He is a former WBO middleweight champion (2015–2018) and WBO super-middleweight champion (2019–2021), making him the first from his traveller community to win world championships in two weight classes.
2. How did Saunders fare against Canelo Álvarez?
He challenged Canelo for the super-middleweight unification. A detached orbital bone forced his corner to retire him after eight rounds, but the fight earned him an $8 million purse.
3. When did Saunders turn professional?
He debuted as a pro on 28 February 2009, halting Attila Molnar in the second round and quickly establishing an undefeated record through regional title wins.
4. How many children does he have and who is the mother?
Saunders has three children—two sons and a daughter—with his former partner, Ruby. Their children were born in 2008, 2010, and 2017, respectively.
5. What is Saunders’s fighting style?
He fights from a southpaw stance, known for slick footwork, sharp counterpunching, and the ability to mix body shots with head combinations, combining technical skill with natural power.
