3:27 PM PT -- Good news from Billy Joe Saunders ... the fighter says the operation to treat the broken bones in his face "went well" and he hopes to continue his career.
"Thanks everyone for [the messages]," Saunders posted on social media Monday ... "Broken eye socket and broken cheek bone in 3 places."
"Operation yesterday all went well. You win some and lose some."
Saunders says he didn't feel out of his league in the fight against Canelo Alvarez, but admits he "got caught with a good shot and couldn’t see."
Saunders says his coach Ben Davison ultimately assessed the injury in the ring and pushed for the fight to be stopped. Obviously, the right move to protect BJ's long-term health.
The recovery will be a long and arduous road -- but Saunders says, "I'll be back."
The injury Billy Joe Saunders suffered during Saturday night's loss to Canelo Alvarez was even worse than it looked ... and it's possible he may never fight again.
The 31-year-old didn't get off his stool at the end of the 8th round after it became clear his right eye was badly damaged.
Billy Joe was loaded into an ambulance and taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation where he was diagnosed with a quadripod fracture, according to The Athletic's Mike Coppinger.
FYI, the injury essentially means Saunders' orbital bone was smashed so badly, his cheekbone area caved in.
BJ's promoter, Eddie Hearn, announced he would undergo surgery on Sunday -- though unclear how it went at this point.
Hearn told Coppinger the recovery will take several months -- and it doesn't seem like it's a certainty Saunders will ever be able to fight again.
The long story short, the integrity of BJ's cheekbone area has been structurally compromised since it was broken in 4 spots ... and for a guy who gets punched in the face for a living, that's a VERY bad thing.
Dr. David Abbasi -- an orthopedic surgeon who sometimes works combat sports events -- broke down the injury and it's scary stuff.
Saunders was 30-0 before the Canelo fight -- and looked pretty good in the moments before the fight ended.
He was sticking and moving and landing real shots ... but in the end, Canelo's power proved too much.
Here's hoping Saunders can make a complete recovery and get back to doing what he loves.
Originally Published -- 6:03 AM PT