Andy Lee vs. Billy Joe Saunders Canceled: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The October 10 bout between Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders for the WBO World Middleweight Championship has been canceled due to an injury suffered by Saunders.   

According to Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions on Twitter, Saunders was hurt during a sparring session and will require medical attention:

"

Unfortunately Billy Joe Saunders has received a bad cut in sparring and will not be ready for Oct 10 for his World title fight with Andy Lee. We apologise for this change,but it is completely unavoidable.The cut means BJShas to await specialist advice on when he can resume training. The Oct 10 show will still go ahead with the two world title fights and we are working hard to replace the fight with another major fight.

"

The two world titles fights Warren references are Terry Flanagan defending the WBO Lightweight Championship against Diego Magdaleno and Liam Smith taking on John Thompson for the WBO Light Middleweight Championship. 

On Twitter, Lee expressed his disappointment that the fight had been delayed:

He added he is "on vacation" until Saunders is able to return. 

Saunders had a tune-up fight against Yoann Bloyer on July 24, winning via fourth-round TKO. Lee has been out of the ring since an April draw with Peter Quillin. 

It's been a difficult task getting Lee and Saunders in the ring. The two were originally scheduled to fight on September 19 at Thomond Park in Ireland, but that date had to be pushed back because Lee was suffering from a virus.

Saunders has been the No. 1 contender for Lee's WBO title for nearly one year, since a November 2014 win over Chris Eubank, but circumstances keep delaying things. Finding another solid date for this marquee bout is impossible at this stage due to the nature of Saunders' injury.