The 26 year-old is on the lookout for a United States debut defence of his belt on the Canelo Alvarez v Liam Smith undercard at Cowboys Stadium and was offered the opportunity to face the rugged former world title challenger.
Despite reports stating Saunders v Rosado was close to completion, the Briton stated he was hoping for a sterner test for what will be a co-feature bout on a double world title card televised through the HBO pay-per-view platform.
“First of all, Golden Boy didn’t get me the opponent that was originally agreed,” Saunders exclusively told World Boxing News.
“Gabriel Rosado was put to me as an alternative, but in my opinion, I don’t gain anything in fighting him. Rosado has been beaten eight times and I made it clear I rather face an unbeaten fighter who was with a rival promotion.
“But if people really want me to fight Rosado I’d be happy to – but he’s a world-class journeyman at best and that’s all he is.
“At the end of the day, I’ll fight anyone my promoter puts in front of me – but if I had the choice it wouldn’t be someone like Rosado who would get beat again and my name wouldn’t get any bigger from it.
“Personally, I don’t think there’s one single middleweight in the US that would beat me and that’s why Rosado doesn’t appeal to me,” he added.
It’s clear Saunders is keen to make a big impression Stateside, especially with Canelo topping the bill, as a fight between the two could well be on the cards provided both come through their respective tests in Arlington.
