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New Lee-Saunders date CONFIRMED

The date and venue for the twice-postponed WBO middleweight World title fight between champion Andy Lee and challenger Billy Joe Saunders has been announced.

The fight will take place on December 19th in the Manchester Arena and will be screened live on Boxnation TV.

The news was announced tonight at the ‘World War 3’ card at the Manchester venue.

Both boxers will be hoping that third time’s a charm after two unfortunate deferrals.

Initially Lee was meant to defend his belt for the first time in his home town of Limerick at Thomond Stadium on September 19th. Lee however fell ill with a virus and the fight was rescheduled to tonight’s card in Manchester.

The fight was then postponed once again when Englishman Saunders suffered a nasty gash in sparring.

Lee spoke on Boxnation tonight after the announcement, saying that “the delay in the fight between me and Saunders has just made me more determined, if that is possible. Once I have beaten him on 19 December, I can move on in my career and unify the titles,”

“My fans have been very patient and I’ll give them what they have been waiting for as a Christmas present, beating Saunders and remaining world champion. I’m a proud man and I’m prepared to fight tooth and nail to keep my title. Saunders is in for the fight of his life.”

Tickets go on sale this Friday

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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