Andy Lee vs. Billy Joe Saunders: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info

Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders finally meet on Saturday, as the former puts his WBO middleweight title on the line at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

The pair were initially due to go toe-to-toe on Sept. 19 in Limerick, Ireland, only for the champion to be ruled out due to a virus.

A new date was scheduled for Oct. 10, but Saunders had to reschedule after suffering an injury in sparring. A cut eye curtailed that date, setting up an intriguing pre-Christmas clash.

Lee (34-2-1, 24 KOs) has fought at a higher level in his career, but Saunders (22-0, 12 KOs) is unbeaten and a former British, Commonwealth and European champion.

The bout headlines a card that also includes Liam "Beefy" Smith's maiden defence of his world super welterweight title. The WBO champion takes on unbeaten rival "Jimmy" Kilrain Kelly.

When: Saturday, Dec. 19, at 10 p.m. GMT / 5 p.m. ET

Where: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England

TV: BoxNation (UK), Showtime Extreme (US)

Live Stream: BoxNation (UK, subscription required), Showtime (US, regional restrictions apply)

Maiden Defence

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Although this will be his second outing since winning the WBO title, Irishman Lee will actually be making the first defence of the crown.

Former champion Peter Quillin had been set to fight for his old belt in April, only for the American's failure to make the weight in time for the weigh-in to turn the contest in Brooklyn, New York, into a non-title bout.

Lee looked in danger of being beaten by the home favourite after he was dropped twice in the early stages. However, he rallied in the second half of the contest, knocking Quillin down in Round 7 to secure a draw on the scorecards.

The outcome made sure the strap didn't become vacant (which would have been the case if Quillin had won), paving the way for Lee to make a defence on Irish soil. Those plans had to be shelved, so Manchester will now host the Anglo-Irish clash.

Still, the prospect of Lee, a recognised puncher, going up against skilled operator Saunders is worth waiting for.

However, trainer Adam Booth, who has been instrumental in helping Lee recover from a loss to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in 2012, insists his man is more than just a big-hitting southpaw, per Jamie Casey of the Irish Post:

"

That doesn’t do justice to Andy’s amateur career. He’s a 6'2" southpaw, who boxes. He’s a boxer primarily and a puncher secondary. 

It’s just that, of recent times, he’s had some dramatic stoppage wins and now all of a sudden this label has been hung around his neck.

You don’t win fights by just clenching your fists and throwing the big shots, you have to set them up, and he can box and he knows what he’s doing.”

"

Booth is a good judge of a fighter, but Lee's ability to change the course of a bout with one solitary shot makes him a dangerous opponent for anyone at the 160-pound weight limit.

There are big fights out there for the 31-year-old—every middleweight would particularly like the chance to take on Gennady Golovkin right now—and his hopes of mixing it with the best in the division are increased the longer he remains a world champion.

Stepping Up

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While Lee has been there, done that, bought the T-shirt in terms of competing at the top level, Saunders is stepping into unknown territory.

He has impressed so far since turning pro in 2009, working his way through the different levels while following the traditional path to a world-title opportunity.

Domestic rivals have been put in their place, including Chris Eubank Jr.

The rivalry between the pair still simmers now, with Saunders saying, per Chris McKenna of the Daily Star: "I've got no fears about facing him again. Looking at his performance on Saturday [against Gary O'Sullivan], put a blindfold on me and I'd outbox him [Eubank Jr.]."

A rematch seems inevitable, but first Saunders has to prove he is an elite fighter at middleweight.

The one concern when inspecting his record is the lack of wins inside the distance. Eubank Jr. took him the full 12 rounds in November 2014, and he was even the stronger of the two in the closing stages.

Nick Blackwell, Bradley Pryce, O'Sullivan and John Ryder also lasted until the final bell. 

While the 26-year-old traveller—who talked about his life and career in a Bleacher Report exclusive prior to the bout—has always tended to win comfortably on points, there is a question mark over his power.

There has also been a lack of activity of late. His only outing since beating Eubank Jr. was a routine win over journeyman Yoann Bloyer in July.

Lee is an acid test for Saunders' unbeaten record, but he is confident he can make the step up in class.

Saunders told BoxNation's official website:

"

There are no doubts in my head at all and he knows that I’m mentally strong and that he can’t get into my head. 

I was an Olympian at 18 and beaten everyone put in front of me to come through.

I've beaten everyone in Britain and now I just need Andy Lee who’s just another scalp on my record.

"

Prediction

There are two schools of thought over the outcome.

If it goes to the scorecards, Saunders wins on points. If, however, the bout finishes inside the distance, Lee is the victor.

Saunders is a bit of an unknown at world level. He needs to settle early and get a few rounds under his belt, and it will be fascinating to see how he handles the whole occasion.

However, Lee is experienced enough to cope with whatever comes his way. His power could be the crucial factor, and he will expect to catch the challenger at some point.

The champion will win by TKO in Round 10.