Andy Lee to punch 'with' Billy Joe Saunders, says Adam Booth

Trainer Adam Booth will encourage world middleweight champion Andy Lee to punch 'with' Billy Joe Saunders on Saturday night.

Lee (34-2-1-KO24) defends his WBO crown against the unbeaten Saunders (22-0-KO12) and with the challenger possessing the superior hand speed, Booth is urging his man to throw the exchanges open whenever possible.

He told Sky Sports: "It's an interesting match up because they've got opposite attributes and styles. It's a question of who's better at what they do and who's better at nullifying the other. I'm very confident.

"I know how we've prepared and what Andy's prepared for. People say he's fallen behind in fights. He fell behind because he got dropped by a heavy shot from Peter Quillin. The Matt Korobov fight was very close early on.

We know Billy Joe likes to let his hands go and needs to let his hands go. When you have someone who likes to punch fast, you punch with them.

"We know Billy Joe likes to let his hands go and needs to let his hands go. When you have someone who likes to punch fast, you punch with them and Andy's very good at punching with people. That's the danger zone for Billy Joe.

"When you've got someone who has the speed advantage, if you go before you won't land because they'll move out of position. If you try to go after, they could be in and out before you can get your shot off. The key is punching with people with good hand speed.

"The classic example in recent years is Amir Khan and Breidis Prescott. Punch with people with fast hands. Vernon Forrest and Shane Mosley. The reason I have confidence is that Andy is very good at punching with people.

"It's going to be an exciting fight. I don't see it going the distance. I see two fighters of proud traveller heritage doing their communities proud."

The bout takes place at the Manchester Arena, where Liam Smith will also defend his WBO world super-welterweight crown against 'Jimmy' Kilrain Kelly.