Andy Lee to fight Billy Joe Saunders on September 19

WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee (34-2-1, 24 KOs) will fight unbeaten challenger Billy Joe Saunders (21-0, 11 KOs) on September 19 at Thomond Park, Limerick in Ireland.

Lee, 31, will be making the first defence of the title he won when stopping previously unbeaten Matt Korobov in December. The Irishman fought to a draw against former champion Peter Quillin in April, but the fight was a non-title match due to the American failing to make weight.

Saunders, 25, is the British, Commonwealth and European champion and is coming off a points win over previously unbeaten Chris Eubank Jr in November.

“I have no problem travelling to Ireland,” said Saunders. “Like Andy Lee, I come from a traveller background and would have fans showing up in their thousands. Andy Lee is strong and game but he’s been on the floor in his last three fights and is coming to the end. He’s at a point where he’s cashing in and I don’t blame him for that but I’m too fresh for him. His luck has got to run out some time and I’m the man to take his title.”