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.

Steve O'meara withdraws from fight!

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British prospect Steve O'meara has pulled out of his upcoming fight against Bradley Pryce due to an illness. The fight was scheduled to be the main event of the first instalment of BoxNation's BoxAcademy. The show has now been postponed and may be arranged for another date.

O'meara complained of breathing problems earlier this week and sought out expert medical advice. He must have been advised not to fight as he pulled out earlier today. The show could have still gone ahead but Queensberry Promotions believed that without the O'meara-Pryce fight, the show was not exciting enough. There would have still been a few exciting prospects on the show such as Ashley Sexton, but I think most people would prefer the fight to be rearranged for a different date when O'meara is ready to fight again.

Queensberry Promotions have apologised to the 1,500+ fans that bought tickets to see the show on Thursday night, at the Troxy. Refunds are available from the point of purchase.

Steve O'meara could be the next big thing!

British Prospect Steve O'meara

British light-middleweight Steve O'meara is set to fight on the debut show of Frank Warren's BoxAcademy on May 3rd.

According to O'meara's promoter Francis Warren, the prospect from London will be the next big thing in the British light-middleweight division.

"O'Meara has really turned the corner and stepped up. Having not really stopped anyone during the early part of his career, his last two fights against Ryan Toms and Nathan Weise have been first-round victories. We know he's got class and believe he's ready for British title level at least. If he keeps winning, people are going to have to sit up and take notice... O'Meara's fit as a fiddle, he's a talented kid and is one of those guys who wants to keep busy."

BoxAcademy is British promoter Frank Warren's show that he claims will give young, up and coming British fighters the chance to prove themselves and let the British fans find out more about them.

O'meara tops the bill on May 3rd against former commonwealth champion Bradley Pryce who is a very experienced fighter. Matching O'meara with the Welshman is a massive gamble that could not pay off but if it does, and O'meara does beat him, it will certainly announce the 28-year old at British title level.

Tickets for BoxAcademy are available from the Queensberry promotions Box Office (01992 550 888) and are priced at £35 or £50.