Billy Joe Saunders dethroned WBO Middleweight World Champion Andy Lee with a 12-round majority decision Saturday on Showtime Boxing International from Manchester, England by scores of scored 115-111, 114-112 and 113-113.
In a matchup of tactical southpaws, an explosive third round from Saunders (23-0, 12 KOs) was the difference. The British challenger floored Lee twice – first with a big right hook and again with a counter right just 30 seconds later – and a dazed Lee somehow survived the 10-7 round.
The Irishman Lee (34-3-1, 24 KOs) fought his way back and was the more aggressive fighter in the championship rounds, but it wasn’t enough to make up for a slow start and the two knockdowns.
With the win, Saunders became the 12th current British world champion.
“I’m world champion,†Saunders said. “I beat a good champion today, a good sturdy champion. I used his power against him. When I was boxing he got a little bit careless and dropped his lead hand and I caught him with the hook.
“I’m not going to start running my mouth, but it was a good shot. With someone as fast as me you have to keep your hands up. I’m not the biggest puncher in the world, but I showed you there that I can punch.â€
WBA Middleweight Champion Daniel Jacobs, fresh off a first round knockout of Peter Quillin two weeks ago, was a guest analyst on Saturday from New York.
“I thought he was going to be a big brawler, I thought he had better assets,†Jacobs said of Lee. “He didn’t do enough for me. He was too complacent and after the knockdown you didn’t see that sense of urgency that a fighter has to have on the comeback trail. All credit due to Billy Joe, but it wasn’t an impressive victory.â€
After watching the fight, Jacobs wasn’t ready to commit to a unification showdown in 2016 with the winner.
“We’ll do whatever makes sense,†Jacobs said. “I think it’s time to sit-down and figure what makes sense. Obviously it’s a good time to be a middleweight champion.â€