I think Billie Joe has the chin and experience from his amateur days to just do enough to out-work Lee and not fold during those scares he'll have due to Lee's power.
Definitely can't see Saunders folding. He doesn't strike me as the sort. He's not immune to being knocked out but he's pretty hard to hit cleanly, clever and elusive.
I voted Lee but not with much conviction, I think it'll be a close fight however it goes, Billy's better boxing fundamentals against Lee's superior level of experience and better power. The last 6 rounds against Eubank Jr have made me see Lee winning just a little more likely than Billy. Looking forward to this.
Lee has size, power, and the increased odds of landing his right hook against a fellow southpaw. But Billy Joe is a much more fluid boxer.
Anyone else think Hearn may have had a word in Froch's ear to hold his announcement in for a few days until today when the BJS v Lee press conference It's completely stole the thunder.
It doesnt matter anyway. His stance is so wide it brings him down low to his opponents height - plus he wings hooks instead of straight shots like he should which reduces his reach to the same as his opponents reach in any case. :-( All this courtesy of the "Master Trainer/tactician" Adam Booth! declared by Andy today to be the best trainer in the world!!!! :tired
I reckon this could turn out to be a good fight. Lots of punches, hard shots, tough tough fight, close decision either way slightly favouring Saunders
Take a look at Andys last 2 fights - 25 maybe 30 punches a round max. He is NOT a high workrate, all-action fighter. He is a low-workrate, dodgy-stamina plodding fighter with a few highlight-reel ko's that disguise this. Billy Joe is an all-action fighter - so if Andy doesent want to find himself losing points on the cards he will have to 'up his game' for this one. This is Saunders fight to lose. Take away his right hook and Lee lost his last 3 fights. Simple as, end of. Surely Billy Joe is capable of that?
Link to the launch press conference: [url]http://www.irish-boxing.com/video-andy-lee-vs-billy-joe-saunders-showdown-press-conference/[/url] Extremely dull and boring affair, very uninspiring press conference. No atmosphere at all. Ive seen more excitement at a Credit Union AGM.
Dont get me wrong I'm not bigging up lee. I know he has limitations and his last 2 or 3 fights woukdbt have gone his way with the right hook. I just think style wise, and how big this fight is for them. 2 travelers going at it, all on the line, huge weight on their shoulders, they'll go out and put it all in. Like I saidvthough I would favour Saunders and you're righgbits his fight to lose.
Billy Joe has all the incentive in the world to give this his best shot. Including 'Traveller Pride' or 'Bareknuckle Brigade Bragging Rights'. Surely he will train properl for this one? Really, if he does prepare properly, its hard to see him losing.
for me saunders just needs to avoid the hook. he will outspeed outwork and outbox lee. but he needs to keep his head for the distance.