Billy Joe Saunders’s promoter, Frank Warren, has heaped praise on WBO middleweight champion, Andy Lee

Writing in his weekly column for www.frankwarren.com, the veteran promoter gave his thoughts on the two fighters ahead of the September 19th Thomond Park bout.

Warren believes that “there is nothing not to like about Lee. He has shown tremendous fortitude and ability to emerge as the first Traveller to win a world title.”

“He gets knocked down, but he gets up again, one hallmark of a good fighter.”

“Although Bill has got a good chin, this fella knocks out even those who’ve got good chins.”

“What’s more, he was schooled by one of the all-time greats in Emanuel Steward from the Kronk Gym in Detroit. Manny had an eye for talent and high regard for him and always predicted he would become a world champion – exactly as I predicted for Billy.”

Warren also explained that Saunders is a fan of the Irish world champ, revealing that “I know just how much he is relishing this set-to with Lee, a boxer he has always admired.”

On the match-up, the 63 year old feels that “the bottom line is this is a real 50-50 fight that could go either way.”

“This is a potentially enthralling bout between two decent guys, who won’t bad-mouth each other and show the utmost mutual respect because it is part of their background.”

Comparing the two, Warren argued that “in many ways it is the perfect match: dignified champion, a big puncher who can take someone out with one stunning dig, and a zestful young challenger who has real style, is a beautiful boxer and can punch himself a bit when he needs to.”

“With all the pride and passion involved, it can’t fail to be a classic collision of skills and wills.”