Billy Joe Saunders Vs Gary O'Sullvan - Fight Preview

By Jack Sumner @Jack_Sumner_

Wembley Arena sees a battle between two unbeaten domestic fighters this Saturday, as Ireland's Gary "Spike" O'Sullivan defends his WBO International Middleweight title against rising star and former Olympian Billy Joe Saunders. Aside from O’Sullivan’s crown and both men’s unbeaten records being on the line, there’s plenty more at stake with Saunders already scheduled to headline a show on September 21^st.

Saunders continues to improve!

Yesterday night (September 14th), Billy Joe Saunders proved once again why he is the man to watch in the British middleweight division right now. The 23-year old traveller disposed of highly rated Aussie Jarrod Fletcher in just two rounds in just his second defence of the Commonwealth title.

This fight was a big step up for Saunders and he rose to the task very well. Right from the off Saunders got to work and finished off a relatively slow first round very strongly. At the start of the second, the pace was stepped up a gear and you could just tell that Fletcher was not comfortable fighting at that speed. He tried to slow the fight down but it didn't work and Saunders landed a flash right hand that sent a jolt through the whole of Fletcher's body. After a fast and hard flurry of punches from Saunders, Fletcher took a knee and just beat the count. From this point on, Fletcher just couldn't recover and it was only a matter of time before the fight was getting stopped. Saunders continued with the pressure and Fletcher just couldn't handle it. The referee was forced to stop the fight and he did it at exactly the right time.

Now I'm gonna be honest with you, I am a massive fan of Billy Joe Saunders, and I've thought and known it for a very long time... He is going straight to the top. If anyone disagreed with me before, I'm sure they don't now. Fletcher was an undefeated decent fighter and Saunders disposed of him with ease.
In my opinion, its only a matter of time before Saunders steps up and faces the likes of Darren Barker, Kerry Hope and Martin Murray and I think if he keeps going the way he has been, he will beat these guys pretty convincingly.

Billy Joe Saunders to defend title against Fletcher...

British prospect Billy Joe Saunders will be defending his commonwealth middleweight title against Australian rival Jarrod Fletcher in a battle of the undefeated at Wembley Arena on September 14th. 

It will be Saunders, 22, second defence of his title. The hard-hitting Hatfield traveller picked up the title in just 30 seconds against Tony Hill back in April. He then made a successful first defence against Bradley Pryce with a unanimous decision victory. 

Saunders, who was Great Britain's youngest representative at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, has had a perfect career as a pro so far. 28-year old Fletcher is also undefeated with a record of 12-0 with 7 KO's. 

Saunders claims that he is very excited to be facing a dangerous talent like Fletcher in what no doubt will be the toughest test of his career so far.

"This is a good test for me at this stage of my career before I move up to another level," said Saunders. 

"When I've got a test in front of me it makes me train harder and brings the best out of me like you saw against Hill who was a top amateur and had never been stopped as a pro and I went straight through him." 

"Fletcher has got me excited with his unbeaten record and he looks like he can punch a bit. I'm looking forward to seeing if he'll be able to take my shots. I want to be the first to make a black mark on his record." 

"He's also an Aussie, that's adds a bit of spice to our fight with England's rivalry against Australia coming up in big sporting events, but I'll never lose to an Aussie and the title is staying here."

The action pack card is completed by a super-showdown between George Groves and Kenny Anderson (If Groves' cut is healed), Bradley Skeete Vs Chas Symonds for the vacant Southern Area welterweight title, undefeated super-middleweight prospect Frank Buglioni, Gary Corcoran and Mitchell Smith. 

The show will be shown live on BoxNation (SKY 437, Virgin 546). Tickets are priced at £40, £50, £75 and £100 and are available from the Wembley Arena Box Office (0844 815 0815) or online at www.wembleyarena.co.uk.

Billy Joe Saunders to make first defence of title...

Saunders after winning the title at the Royal Albert Hall. (April 28th).

On the 1st June 2012, Billy Joe Saunders will make the first defence of his Commonwealth middleweight title against former light-middleweight champion Bradley Pryce. The fight is set to take place at the best small hall in Britain, York Hall in Bethnal Green.

In his last outing Saunders blitzed through his opponent Tony Hill with a barrage of non-stop heavy punches and stopped him in just 30 seconds. This was the main event of the show, on boxing's return to the Royal Albert Hall. This fantastic performance on such a big stage has made him confident that he has what it takes to compete with the best and go far in his career.

Welshman Bradley Pryce.

"I made a big impact with my performance against Tony Hill at the Royal Albert Hall and I'm ready to be in action again so soon and this time headlining London's other famous fight hall - the York Hall." said the 22-year old from Hatfield.

"I had a first round stoppage against Tommy Tolan before Hill as well and I'm not expecting Pryce to go as quick, but with the way I'm punching at the moment who knows?... He's a hard fight and he's had over twice as many fights as me against a lot of top men in Britain around the weight so this is without a doubt my toughest fight yet."

Saunders' promoter Frank Warren also believes that this will be a tougher test for his young fighter: "Billy surprised everyone with his speed and power and how quick he stopped Tony Hill last time out, even me. Pryce is very tough and has some good wins on his record so Billy will have to be on the ball against him."

The undercard will also feature a lot of young talented prospects. The two confirmed so far are Liverpool super-featherweight Stephen Smith and unbeaten super-middleweight Frank Buglioni.

Tickets are available for £40 or £60 from Frank Warren's promotion box (01992 550 888) or from www.frankwarren.tv. It looks like it's going to be a great night of boxing. Well, it always is at the York Hall, and with the likes of Buglioni and Saunders there with there army of fans it will be a cracking atmosphere.

Boxing comes home!

Outside view of the Royal Albert Hall.

Last night (April 28th) I had the privilege of being a spectator at the Royal Albert Hall for the first professional boxing show to be staged there in 13 years and I have to take my hat off to Frank Warren for putting on a fantastic show even with world champion Nathan Cleverly pulling out.

Picture taken by Jack Price.

The atmosphere was amazing! Even the first few fights felt like you watching to world class fighters boxing in massive arena. Three of the eight fights ended in the first round but the five that didn't end early made up for it.

The fight of the night would have probably have to go to Matthew Hall Vs Sam Webb. It was a thrilling fight that could have easily gone either way. The decision was given to Webb but only just. The 31-year old had a large amount of support from the crowd whilst Hall's fans could hardly be heard but the former commonwealth champion managed to win over a large part of the crowd with his exciting and courageous fighting style.

Billy Joe Saunders beat Tony Hill in the main event, to become the new Commonwealth middleweight champion. 22-year old Saunders was simply too strong for Webb and managed to stop him less than a minute into the first round.

Frank Buglioni extended his unblemished record to 4-0 with a first round stoppage of his unknown Russian opponent. His loyal army of fans took over the place with their trademark chanting and dancing. It was hard to hear yourself think, the atmosphere was that intense and loud.

Other fights on the card included Bradley Saunders Vs Danny Donchev (Saunders 1st round stoppage), Bradley Skeete Vs Ross Payne (Skeete 1st round KO) and Andreas Evangelou Vs Jamie Kelly (draw).

Nathan Cleverly may not have been fighting but he was still there to support the other boxers and meet and greet with the fans. All the boxers on the card were happy to hang around after the show and take pictures with the fans.

Overall, it was a fantastic show with some great fights and I cannot wait for the next championship boxing at the Royal Albert Hall.

Saunders Vs Hill: Weigh-In Results and Quotes

Hill (left) and Saunders (right) go head-to-head outside the Royal Albert Hall.

Tonight (April 28th) boxing returns to the Royal Albert Hall for the first time in over 13 years. Headlining the show is Billy Joe Saunders Vs Tony Hill for the Commonwealth middleweight title.

At the weigh-in yesterday Saunders weighed in at 11st 5lb and Hill tipped the scales at 11st 6lb on his second attempt as at first he was 1/2lb over.

Here are what the two fighters had to say about their weights and their upcoming fight:

Saunders: "I've had a great training camp for this fight and I feel fit, strong and ready. I'm not reading too much into him being overweight. I've got my plan to beat him and I'm sticking to it. Let's see if he can back up his pre-fight statements about me not being in the ring with anyone of any note. I'm looking forward to being crowned the new Commonwealth champion."

Hill: "It was only half a pound and when I weighed in half an hour later I was spot on. I'm ready for Saunders and whatever he brings to the ring tonight."

Co-headlining the show is Matthew Hall Vs Sam Webb in the final eliminator for the British light-middleweight championship. They both came in at 10st 3lb.

Billy Joe Saunders & Tony Hill go head-to-head at press conference!

Check out this exclusive footage provided by iFilmLondon at the press conference for Saturday's big fight between Billy Joe Saunders and Tony Hill at the Royal Albert Hall.

Billy Joe Saunders ready to rock the Royal Albert Hall!

Middleweight prospect Billy Joe Saunders.

Former Olympian Billy Joe Saunders intends to continue with his undefeated record at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday night. He will headline the show against Tony Hill for the vacant Commonwealth middleweight crown.

Saunders was only 18-years old when he took part in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 but he insists that he has no regrets about turning pro and missing London 2012.

"Of course in the Olympic year, you do think what might have been," said Saunders.

"I had a good chance when I went to Beijing and the guy who beat me, I'd beaten him three weeks before and he went on to win silver... I was only 18 and I'd be 22 if I was competing at London. I'm stronger and more experienced and I know I would have won gold."

"But as an amateur, the highest level you can box at is the Olympics. I did that at 18 and felt it was time to move onto other challenges and turn professional... "I'm fighting for the Commonwealth title on Saturday and I believe I'll be ready for a world title shot in the next 18 months."

Saunders is thrilled to be topping the bill at the first professional boxing show at the Royal Albert Hall in 13 years. He was originally meant to be the chief support but light-heavyweight Nathan Cleverly was forced to pull out of his world title fight.

"When I heard the news, it was a really really good feeling... When you think of the names who have boxed there, it's a privilege... It's the best feeling I've had since turning pro!"