The much-anticipated showdown between WBO Middleweight Champion Andy Lee and Nj Saunders is again postponed. The title tilt was originally scheduled for September 19th at Thomond Park in Lee’s hometown of Limerick, Ireland, but Lee survived a virus that caused the postponement until October 10th in the Manchester Arena in Manchester England.
However, Saunders suffered a cut in sparring, and the fight will once again be postponed.
“First of all I’m sorry to Andy and all the fans that this fight has had to be postponed again,” Saunders said in an article on ESPN.com. “It’s completely unfortunate that I got a cut during a sparring session, but there’s nothing I can do now until the specialist advises me on when I can resume training and fight again. I’m committed to this world title fight. I’m the WBO mandatory challenger, and the WBO have confirmed that I’ll remain the mandatory challenger. It’s just a very frustrating situation at the moment as myself and Andy just want to get in the ring and fight after all the delays.”
Lee himself was disappointed with the news.
“Hugely disappointed for myself and for the boxing public,” stated Lee. “These things happen. Me and Billy Joe Saunders will get it on when the new date is set.”
The rest of the card will go as planned as Terry Flanagan will defend his lightweight title against Diego Magdaleno and Liam Smith will contend for a vacant 154-pound title against John Thompson.
Frank Warren told ESPN, “”It’s a real shame that Billy has been forced out of the fight because of a cut and we await the report from the specialists so that we can look to reschedule the fight as soon as possible for the fans,” Warren said. “Whilst Saunders versus Lee has fallen through, there are two thrilling world title fights on the show with Terry Flanagan facing a dangerous first defense against tough American Diego Magdaleno, and Liam Smith has a big test against American upsetter John Thompson.”
