By Rachel Aylett: Tonight at the Copper Box Arena in London, defending British and Commonwealth Middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders successfully retained both titles against his biggest domestic rival, John Ryder. In a tense, grueling and highly entertaining fight, Saunders took a unanimous but close decision to move one step closer to winning the British Lonsdale belt outright. He now needs one more successful defense in order to do so.
Billy Joe Saunders
Billy Joe Saunders vs. John Ryder: The Breakdown
By Brinsley Bailey: The upcoming British & Commonwealth title clash between unbeaten Middleweight pair, Billy Joe Saunders (18-0, 10 KOs) and John Ryder (15-0, 9 KOs), has the potential to be a British classic. Both southpaws have a vast array of skills, decent power and intangible qualities that have kept that all important ‘0’ on the record.
This weekend at the Copper Box
By Rachel Aylett: Saturday night, 21st September, brings Frank Warren’s first big show of the new season to Britain. It is the first boxing show to be held at the Copper Box Arena in London, one of the 2012 Olympic venues. On first viewing of the line up for this show, it appears to be full of interesting fights. However, on closer inspection, it’s not quite as stacked as it at first seems.
I have already written a preview of the main event, Billy Joe Saunders vs John Ryder, for this web-site. For the record, I believe Saunders will box in the same manner as in his recent victories over Gary O’Sullivan and Matthew Hall and win a fairly clear points decision over Ryder. Ryder, though, looked awesome in his last victory over Frenchman, Yoann Bloyer, and it is an outstanding main event. Saunders’ British middleweight title is at stake.
Billy Joe Saunders vs. John Ryder preview
By Rachel Aylett: September 21st sees the Frank Warren team promoting their first show of the new season. The top of the bill is a fascinating British middleweight title fight with Billy Joe Saunders defending against his top challenger, John Ryder. This is a battle of unbeatens and is an intriguing encounter on many fronts.
Champion Billy Joe is one of the class of ’08 Beijing Olympians, which includes current successful professionals, James DeGale, Frankie Gavin, David Price, Joe Murray and current hot prospects Bradley Saunders and Kal Yafai. It is looking increasingly likely that Billy Joe Saunders will prove to be the best of this bunch.
Saunders beats O’Sullivan
By Scott Gilfoid: Undefeated Billy Joe Saunders (18-0, 10 KO’s) defeated Gary O’Sullivan (16-1, 10 KO’s) by a 12 round unanimous decision on Saturday night to capture the vacant WBO International middleweight title at the Wembley Arena in London, England. The final judged scores were 119-109, 119-109 and 120-108.
Billy Joe Saunders vs. Gary O’Sullivan on July 20th at the Wembley Arena in London, UK
Billy Joe Saunders will be KO’d early says WBO International Middleweight Champion Gary O’Sullivan in the battle of the undefeated fighters at Wembley Arena on Saturday 20th July.
Ones to Watch
By Mohummad Humza Elahi: – UK Edition Twitter @MHE_1985 Although a lot of column inches are devoted to the current cream of the crop in the boxing world, those who want to keep an eye on future contenders (and are more unfamiliar to wider audiences outside the UK) may want to look at highlight reels of the following fighters, who I believe could be competing on a world level in the next two years or more.
Lee Selby (14-1, 6KO’s) Selby has already shown he has the makings of a marketable star. The only one of the five with a blemish on his record, I believe this has only spurred Selby on to prove his doubters wrong. The Welshman has trained at the Mayweather Boxing Gym and some of the swagger (and pad routines) has rubbed off.
“Superb” Saunders outclasses Matthew Hall
By Simon Allen: Billy Joe Saunders defended his British and Commonwealth Titles in a near shut out unanimous decision against Matthew Hall on Thursday night. Saunders needed to put a big performance after a much maligned showing against Nick Blackwell last time out and did exactly that. Coming into the ring Saunders looked the much bigger man and made his size height and reach count throughout the fight.
Saunders defeats Hall
By Scott Gilfoid: In a perfect example of a fight that should have never been made in the first place, British and Commonwealth middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders (17-0, 10 KO’s) totally dominated the much, much smaller Matthew Hall (25-7, 16 KO’s) in beating him by a lopsided 12 round unanimous decision on Thursday night at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, United Kingdom.
Billy Joe Saunders Hoping To Impress Thursday Night
By Simon Allen: British and Commonwealth champion Billy Joe Saunders (16/0/0 10KO), will be looking to impress this Thursday night against a tough journeyman in Matthew Hall (25/6/0 16KO). The fight scheduled for twelve rounds at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London.
Saunders last outing in December was less than colourful fight in scoring a unanimous win over Nick Blackwell. Although starting the fight well Blackwell took the fight to Billy Joe in the middle rounds putting pressure on him until fading in the later on. Billy’s jab and good ring work got him through the fight but many observers feel that against more seasoned opposition he will need to do a lot more.