Photo courtesy of Frank Warren
In a much anticipated Middleweight clash, Irishman Andy Lee (34-2-1, 24 KOs) makes his first WBO title defense against England’s undefeated challenger Billy Joe Saunders (22-0, 12 KOs) this Saturday at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.
“Irish” Andy Lee is the slight favorite entering the fight, and for good reasons. Before fighting to a split draw against Peter Quillin in April of this year, Lee was on a six-fight winning streak, including a TKO victory over dangerous opponent Matt Korobov for the vacant WBO title.
Englishman Billy Joe Saunders is looking to shake up the division and become one of the best in the weight class alongside titlists Saul Alvarez, Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Jacobs. A notable victory over Chris Eubank Jr. in late 2014 leaped Saunders into becoming the No. 1 contender for the WBO strap.
Both prizefighters differ in style significantly. Lee is a slow starter that builds momentum as the fight progresses while Saunders fights at a fast tempo during the first half of the fight and slowly decreases in the second half.
The fight between the two middleweights may very well determine the supremacy of middleweight boxing in Europe and the winner will look to unify titles in the coming year.
Here are the three keys to victory for “Irish” Andy Lee against Billy Joe Saunders.
1. Timing Is Key
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An obvious slow starter, former Olympian Andy Lee studies his opponent vigorously for several rounds. Throughout those rounds, he does the usual “feel out” process and exams in his opponents to adjust his timing.
Billy Joe Saunders has an obvious speed advantage coming into this bout. Saunders is also a great combination puncher, whilst Andy Lee is a 1-2 punch boxer.
Timing played a vital role in Lee’s TKO victory over Korobov. Although Lee seemed to lose round after round, it’s apparent that Korobov decreased his volume punching significantly as Lee was using precise timing to land his own punch or counterpunch.
Against Saunders, Lee will need to time Saunders at the start of the first bell. Landing a shot or two in between Saunders’ combinations will disrupt his offense and frustrate the less-experienced Englishman.
Timing the Englishman will also allow Lee to be economical with his punch output while Saunders exerts energy when throwing combinations. This will be vital as the rounds continue as Lee will pick up the pace and Saunders becomes weary.
As demonstrated several times before, timing beats speed.
2. The Big Right Hook
Andy Lee possesses the best right hook in boxing today and has demonstrated its power during several occasions. His last three opponents have been knocked down, knocked out or stopped because of the right hook.
It is important to note the positions in which Lee has landed his right hand effectively.
During his bout against John Jackson, Lee was hurt and in a defensive stance when he landed the monstrous counter right hand. Against Matt Korobov, Lee was able to sneak in a counter right while off balance and in between a combination by Korobov. Lastly, Lee dropped Peter Quillin with a two-punch combination.
Saunders is well aware of Lee’s right hook and believes taking the right hook away will allow him to cruise to a decision.
The problem, however, is Lee’s right hook is most dangerous when it is least expected as his last three opponents have found out.
Expect Lee’s hook to test Saunders chin more and more as the fight progresses.
3. Use Feints
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As surprising as it is, using feints will be the ultimate key to victory for Andy Lee against Billy Joe Saunders. Aside from his famous right hook, feinting is Lee’s unknown trademark and he has perfected it.
Although he was losing against Matt Korobov, his feints ultimately allowed Lee to control the pace and pattern of the fight. It made Lee’s punches unpredictable while it kept Korobov at a favorable distance, overthinking his next attack, and throwing defective counters.
The same feints he used against Korobov and other opponents will be crucial to win against Saunders.
There’s no question that Saunders has a significant speed advantage over Lee. Feinting will allow Lee to find his timing and eventually land powerful right hooks.
Lee will also see Saunders’ reactions to his feints and work that to his advantage.
As the fight progresses, expect Lee to take control of the bout and become the aggressor. His world-class experience will be in effect and help him remain WBO Middleweight champion over challenger Billy Joe Saunders.
