Jeff Saunders is aiming to be the daddy. In and out of the ring.
It is a huge time in the life of the 33-year-old from Sedgefield, who is about to become a father again next week, with his better half, Amy, due to give birth to their third child.
Before then Jeff has the not-so-small task of trying to become the Northern Area welterweight champion. Standing in his way at Rainton Arena is Bobby Dalton, who has begun his professional career in marvellous fashion with eight wins on the spin.
The Redcar 25-year-old is the younger, fresher man, but Saunders says his experience and expertise will count for so much when they collide over 10 rounds at the Houghton venue, where Matt McCallum and Bllly Wade will fight it out for the Northern Area middleweight belt.
“Bobby’s good,” admitted Jeff. “He’s got a winning record and he’s a bigger lad. Welterweight is not really my weight, I’m a super-lightweight, I’m taking this fight on my way back down to 10 stone.
“He’s fit, he’s got a good engine on him. He likes to press and he’s got the size to do that.
“But, I don’t think he’s been in the ring with someone like myself with little gloves on. And I hit harder than my record suggests.
“I know he’s fit, but I’m fit and I know I can dance for 10 rounds and I’m very intelligent in there. If I want a round off, I’ll take it, but I’ll still win it.
“If he’s going to be forcing it, trying to lay it on to me then he’s going to leave lots of openings. I’ve been doing my homework and I’ve seen journeymen getting through to him with punches.
“They are not hitting hard, but I’m hitting hard and in the correct place. With my timing and skill, he could find himself in big trouble.”
For all Saunders is the proud holder of a record of 17-0 (with six Kos), a fair number of observers feel he will be hindered for his lack of activity – he had one fight in in 2019, one in 2020, one in 2022, one in 2023 and one in 2024.
You get the idea? But Saunders had one word to describe how he is feeling when punch-lines interviewed him.
“Fantastic,” said Jeff who has got himself in shape with the considerable help of strength and fitness expert Ian Glass in his IG Fitness gym in Hartlepool, while honing his boxing skills with long-time coaches Jeff Saundes Snr and Mark McGuinness.
“This camp has been really good and seen massive changes in my physique, my punching power, my speed, everything.
“It has all come together under Ian and my boxing coaches, Mark McGuinness and my dad. James Archer, who I used to box with, and my brother Bradley have also been on board.
“I’m firing on all cylinders.”
Saunders, following in footsteps of elder brother Bradley in the pro game, made an amazing entry into the paid ranks with 12 victories and when he outpointed Steven Lewis at the Utilita Arena in 2017 on a Frank Warren event, he looked on the cusp of something special, until fate intervened, leading to a stop-start period.
“It has been stressful” he explained. “In 2017 I was on for the British and Commonwealth titles and then that all got pulled away from us for brain scans.
“I also had time out when my bicep tendon snapped and I had to have that operated on.
“When I got back in the ring, it has been stop-start, but now I thought I’m going to have to just take it on the chin and get in with someone who has a winning record for a title, get hold of that and then move on.”
Saunders was candid with punchlines in explaining that he enjoys his time with partner Amy and son Sunny and daughter Lily, but emphasised how important winning was to him this weekend.
‘I do love family life,” he said. “I’ve two kids and one on the way. I’m fighting on Saturday and my partner is in for a C-section on Monday!
“I love the bit of life when you go down the pub or go out for dinners and being like a normal human if you like.
“But on the other side I’d be forever kicking myself if I didn’t give 110 per cent and bring some silverware home.
“I’ve been boxing for 26 years, I’ve won titles in the amateurs, now I want to win something in the pros.
“My focus has been a million per cent on this. I’ve even nicked my daughter’s bedroom and she’s having to share with her brother while I get my sleep!”
The sleepless nights are to come when the next Saunders arrives, but there is business to attend to first.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jason Corbett/ Mindenwood Photography
