Sport
Boxing: Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders prepare for ultimate Christmas clash
WBO World Middleweight Champion Andy Lee and challenger Billy Joe Saunders will finally collide at the Manchester Arena on Saturday 19 December in a Christmas extravaganza.
In a tense head to head video, the 160lb boxers gear up for the Xmas fight, which was postponed for a second time in September. Now both men are hoping to close their year on a high.
“The delay in the fight between me and Saunders has just made me more determined, if that is possible,” said Lee. “Once I have beaten him on the 19th December I can move on in my career and unify the titles.
“My fans have been very patient and I’ll give them what they have been waiting for as a Christmas present, beating Saunders and remaining world champion. I’m a proud man and I’m prepared to fight ‘tooth and nail’ to keep my title. Saunders is in for the fight of his life.”
Saunders, the undefeated WBO mandatory challenger, is equally excited to finally get it on with his rival, “Like Lee I just want to get in the ring and fight. We’ve talked and talked for months, now we just want to fight.”
Adding, “I gave him the chance to fight for the world against Korobov when I stepped aside so now I want my chance. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s here now and nobody is going to stop me. This isn’t going to be a Merry Christmas for him, more like the Nightmare Before Christmas. We’re both fighting men and one of us isn’t going to be standing at the end, and that won’t be me.”
Tickets for Andy Lee v Billy Joe Saunders at the Manchester Arena are on sale now at Ticketmaster.co.uk.
