Frank Warren open to rematch in Limerick as Andy Lee’s Thomond showdown KO’d

Promoter Frank Warren claims he is open to the possibility of a rematch between Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders taking place in Limerick next year after their world-title bout, originally fixed for Thomond Park next month, was last night postponed for an October date in Manchester.

‘The Showdown’ between the pair for Lee’s WBO world middleweight title was booked for Thomond on September 19, but has now been moved to the Manchester Arena (formerly the MEN Arena) on October 10.

A joint statement from co-promoters Warren and Adam Booth (the latter being Lee’s trainer and manager) last night claimed that the postponement was due to the Limerick champion being hit with a virus.

Warren said: “Andy’s had a virus and he’s recovering from it, or he’s about recovered from it, according to Adam Booth, who’s contacted me.

“He said he should be okay to fight on that date [September 19], but he won’t know for another couple of weeks. Unfortunately, I can’t have that uncertainty and I don’t think it’s fair to the fans or to anybody, or even fair to Andy, so what I’ve said is we need to move the fight, push it back a couple of weeks, so he’s 100%.”

A busy fight schedule in the UK and abroad, which may have impacted on TV viewing numbers and promotion, was cited by Warren as one of the reasons for a move to Manchester, with the promoter adding that the next free date to stage the fight in Limerick would not be ideal for an outdoor venue.

“The next [free date] is the October 31 and if it’s an open-air show, I don’t think we’ll be selling many tickets, so we’re stuck,” said Warren.

It is understood Lee’s clash with Saunders will now headline a Manchester card originally to be headlined by Mancunian lightweight and WBO world lightweight champion Terry Flanagan. Flanagan’s bout and another world-title fight will now share the bill.

Promoters anticipated a crowd of over 30,000 for the fight in Limerick, but it is believed that relatively slow ticket sales may have been a factor in the switch. Warren dismissed such speculation, claiming that around 12,500 tickets had been sold for Thomond.

The promoter also added that he is open to staging a rematch between Lee and Saunders in Limerick next spring should October’s rescheduled bout live up to expectations.

“Depending on the outcome of the fight, if it’s a good, close fight, we can obviously do the rematch in Limerick in the spring. If Andy wins, I’m sure he’d like to — that’s his ambition and obviously I know he’s disappointed he’s not fighting there [in September] — so there’s a lots of options open,” said Warren.