By John Spandley: I am currently flying Co pilot down the M6 as I am writing this article after witnessing the undefeated Billie Joe Saunders snatch the WBO Middleweight Championship of the world from Irish Andy Lee in a truly epic encounter.

The atmosphere in the arena was a friendly affair with all parties truly wishing for the best man to win on the night.

Both men came out for the opening bell very cagey measuring up there opposite man looking for there range. It proved to be the challenger who found his shots after some nice feints to get into the pocket followed with some nifty footwork to end the bell for the 1st.

The following round was yet another display of pendulum cat and mouse strategy until fireworks erupted around the arena in the third with two perfect right hands that sent the champion sprawled on the canvas on both occasions.

Andy Lee the warrior as ever rose to his feet like a man possessed with a defiance on both knockouts before he slumped into his stool at the end of the bell.

The shock of them two swift knockdowns had clearly sent alarm bells ringing in the champions head causing a positive tactical reaction of slowly grinding the fight back to his favor with his jab and boxing ability.

Billy Joe who had used most of his arsenal in the beginning of the fight switched his tactics to counter punching for the remainder of the bout getting caught several times but giving as good as he got.

Lee began to grow into the showing as it wore on constantly looking for that knockout blow with some good boxing ability that just could not penetrate the challengers strong defence.

As the curtains began to draw to a close to this well fought boxing display the fight proved to be a close encounter. The early two knockdowns had done the damage to Lee’s new champion status opening a new chapter for the still unbeaten Billy Joe who surely has some very exciting future encounters ahead of him.