Andy Lee vs. Billy Joe Saunders
Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images
Lou Catalano, Senior Writer
We’re not supposed to have favorite fighters, but Andy Lee is my favorite fighter. He fights anybody. He scores miraculous comeback knockouts.
He isn’t the fastest, or the most skilled, but he often finds a way. I think he’ll find a way here, too. Lee by KO.
Prediction: Lee
Ardy Ajoste, Staff Writer
Prediction: Saunders
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
After being postponed twice, Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders will finally face off for Lee’s WBO middleweight title. An all southpaw affair, both fighters represent the age old tropes that we’ve seen much of in boxing lately. Youth vs experience. Technicality vs. power. Defense vs. aggression.
I struggle with this prediction, as both guys have their edges in certain attributes. The undefeated Saunders is a bit more technical than Lee, using footwork and a solid jab to frustrate and dismantle opponents. Lee is a rangier boxer-puncher (emphasis on the puncher), who’s grit, determination and left hand have (at times) turned the tables in his favor in some of his more desperate moments in the ring.
Lee’s vulnerabilities, like his chin, have been on display before, but that hasn’t always meant defeat. On the other hand, Saunders knows this is the most exposure he’s ever gotten and as long as he stays focused by avoiding a phone booth fight with Lee, he might be able to coast to a decision–that’s what makes this match a toss up.
I usually lean toward the technical guys like Saunders, but I’m rolling with Lee. Lee has the better resume, more experience at world-class level and has the power to change the course of this fight with one punch. Of course, Lee has to utilize his jab, combination punching and footwork to give Saunders different looks. If not he could find himself in another desperate moment.
Prediction: Lee
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
You have to love Andy Lee’s determination and will to win. Arturo Gatti once told Larry Merchant, “Everybody knows I’m the comeback boy.” Lee is the modern day comeback boy, equipped with a vicious equalizer–his trusty right hook.
Lee versus Billy Joe Saunders is an awesome matchup with some significance that may be lost on the US fan base. The fact that Lee and Saunders are both travellers adds a serious dimension to this fight and neither man will want to come away as the loser. As Saunders has said, travellers breed fighters so we should expect that both will lay it all on the line.
Against Saunders, I think Lee will need a little more consistency and focus to pull out a win as opposed to giving up a ton of early rounds and then scoring one major shot towards the end.
I think Saunders, who is younger and is still carrying confidence from his win over Chris Eubank Jr., will be able to box well and keep out of range of Lee’s monstrous hooks. I like Lee, but I’m picking Saunders to become the new WBO champion.
Prediction: Saunders
