Billy Joe Saunders to defend WBO title against Max Bursak on April 30
WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders (23-0, 12 KOs) will make the first defence of his title against Max Bursak (32-4-1, 15 KOs) on April 30 at the Copper Box Arena in London.
The unbeaten Briton claimed the belt when he floored Ireland's Andy Lee twice in the third round on the way to winning a majority decision in December, and now he defends it against Ukraine's Bursak.
Saunders said: "Nothing comes easy in boxing and I'm definitely not taking Bursak for granted. He's a good, good, fighter and very dangerous and if I don't come in 100 per cent then he could cause an upset in my first title defence.
"I've worked long and hard to get where I am and look at the massive fights ahead of me against the likes of Golovkin. So no, I'm going to make sure I'm in perfect shape and give Bursak the toughest night he's ever had, he's never been stopped before so that's something I'm looking at doing."
Former European middleweight champion Bursak has never been stopped in his professional career, but he has been beaten each time he has fought top level opposition. He has lost decisions to Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam, Jarrod Fletcher and Martin Murray.
Bursak said: "Thank you to Billy Joe Saunders for giving me a shot at the world title. Unfortunately for Saunders, this is going to be his first and last defence of the title because I will be taking the title off him.
"I am telling Saunders to be prepared and train hard because he will be in for the fight of his life and I will be looking for the knockout."