Andy Lee set to defend title in historic September showdown

Andy Lee will make the second defence of his WBO middleweight title against mandatory challenger Billy Joe Saunders on September 5, promoter Frank Warren has confirmed.

Lee, who has been recovering from a shoulder injury, has not boxed since his split draw against Peter Quillin in Brooklyn in April.

Warren says Lee will be ready to defend his belt against Saunders in a historic clash, which will be the first time two members of the Travelling community have contested a world title. However, although a date has now been confirmed, the two sides have yet to agree a location for the fight.

Lee, who won his belt in Las Vegas last November, is keen to defend his title on Irish soil. However Warren, who promotes Saunders, insists the fight will generate more money in England, with London the preferred city. Saunders has suggested West Ham’s Upton Park as a potential venue.

Saunders, the 25-year-old southpaw, has been out of the ring since November when he outpointed Chris Eubank Jr in London. He is due to box at Wembley Arena on July 24.

He said: “Lee beat a weight-drained Peter Quillin whereas everything will be bang on for me in this fight. Lee’s a good fighter but I know I’m beating him.

“Me and Andy Lee are two Travellers and there is going to be a lot of pride in that ring and people are in for a real treat.

“This has never ever happened before. We will be told by our trainers to listen to a game-plan but when we’re both in that ring it will go out of the window. We’re going to stand there and see who the best man is.”