Round-by-round Andy Lee v Billy Joe Saunders

Round-by-round Andy Lee v Billy Joe Saunders 

Round 1:

A cagey opener, Lee comfortable but tentative working off his jab, Saunders slightly busier and the challenger lands a nice short right hook in the last minute.

Round 2:

The pair continue to fight in a cautious fashion, although Lee followed up his jab with combinations and began to put his punches together better.

Round 3:

Saunders puts Lee on the canvas with a right hook as the champion leaves himself open when attempting to throw his own hook. Lee takes an eight count but goes down again from a shorter right. Lee looks unsteady but manages to see out the round.

Round 4:

Lee remains composed and settles back into the fight, Saunders reassumes a cautious approach, wary of his opponent’s reputation for staging comebacks.

Round 5:

A big looping left hand from Saunders is the most eye-catching punch and Lee’s right eye is noticeably swollen.

Round 6:

Saunders is busier, Lee’s work-rate is not high enough as he continues to jab but fails to throw any follow-up shots of note.

Round 7:

Another tentative affair with few punches of note landing – Lee jabs well, while Saunders remains busy.

Round 8:

A better round for Lee, jabbing and moving forward, but Saunders’ head movement made it difficult for the pursuing champion to set up further shots.

Round 9:

The champion continues to look more assured and yet another left hand whizzes past the whiskers of Saunders.

Round 10:

Lee starts in assertive fashion but Saunders responds with a jab before the challenger is on the back foot again towards the end of the round.

Round 11:

A short left from Lee midway through the 11th is immediately countered with a looping left from Saunders and while the champion appears to steal the round on work-rate, a successful comeback looks dependant on either a knockout or a couple of knockdowns.

Round 12:

The defending champion pursuing the challenger throughout the final round, but other than sporadically trading to the body there are no blows of consequence landed and Lee fails to find a miraculous punch to rescue his slipping crown.