Andy Lee to fight Billy Joe Saunders on December 19
Monday 12 October 2015 12:38, UK
Andy Lee's twice-postponed world title defence against Billy Joe Saunders will go ahead on December 19.
Boxing's first all-traveller world title fight will take place at the Manchester Arena, where Lee's WBO middleweight belt will be the prize.
Lee came down with a viral infection in the run-up to the original September date, while Saunders suffered a cut eye that scuppered the rearranged October 10 appointment.
"The delay in the fight between me and Saunders has just made me more determined, if that is possible," London-born Lee said. "Once I have beaten him on December 19 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 told promoter Frank Warren's website: "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.
"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."
