By Stuart Atkins and Charles Perrin

BILLY JOE SAUNDERS has become a free agent after parting company with Frank Warren.

Saunders, 29, who won the WBO super-middleweight belt in May, has missed out on career defining fights with big names like Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin.

SunSport exclusively reported earlier this week that Eddie Hearn is confident he can provide Saunders with the fights he most craves.

The Matchroom boss said: “Billy Joe really has had no momentum in his career, how he hasn’t had a big fight, I don’t know, because he is a quality fighter and he is wasted at the moment. We shall see.

“Canelo is up for fighting Billy Joe Saunders and so was Golovkin but they couldn’t get it done.

“It’s not easy making big fights, Kell Brook has wanted the Amir Khan and Terence Crawford fights for years, it doesn’t just happen like that.

“Billy has been extremely loyal to Frank Warren and I admire that.”

Saunders, who has not yet said what his next move is, thanked Warren after they went their own ways.

He said: “First of all, I just want to say a massive thank you to Frank for everything he has done for my career over the past decade.

“Frank signed me after the 2008 Olympics and was with me every step of the way as I won the British, Commonwealth and European titles before becoming a world champion in two divisions.

“It feels a little bittersweet and I’ll always be appreciative for everything Frank has done for me. We’ll stay close.”

Warren has no ill feeling towards Saunders and paid tribute to the two-weight world champion.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed working with Billy Joe through his whole professional career and guiding him to become British, Commonwealth, European and a two Weight World Champion.

“I’m personally very fond of Billy Joe and I wish him every success in the remainder of his career.”

Article courtesy of The Sun