Don’t look now, but it finally looks like the bout between WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee - 34-3-1, 24 KOs - and fellow southpaw Billy Joe Saunders - 22-0, 12 KOs - is finally going to happen.
After being rescheduled twice now, the pair appears ready to go this Saturday in Manchester, England.
Boxing odds at BookMaker.eu
Billy Joe Saunders -105
Andy Lee -125
Over/under TBD
Please note: BookMaker updates their odds daily, so these money lines may have shifted after this article was written.
ODDS ANALYSIS
When the money lines first opened in Las Vegas, the fighters were dead even at -111. Since then, the action seems to be favoring Lee, shifting his line more than 10 points into chalk territory. In a few other sportsbooks he’s as high as -133 and as low as -122. I’d expect him to get a bit more expensive from here on out.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
This is the first world title shot for the 26-year old Saunders. It’s also his first real fight since last November, when he weathered a late charge from Chris Eubank Jr to eke out a victory. He then took a stay-busy fight against a no-name this past July to prep for Lee. Unfortunately, their original September 19 date in Ireland was postponed by Lee. The fight was pushed back to October 10 in Manchester, but that date was cancelled as well too.
Lee is a 31 year-old Southpaw and former Irish Olympian. He won the title in December 2014 against Matt Korobov, knocking him out in the sixth round in a fight he was losing on all three scorecards. His only loss since 2008 came against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. This past April, he fought Peter Quillin to a draw in a match where “Kid Chocolate” failed to make weight.
Saunders has been faced mostly low-level opponents throughout his career, and he’s rarely had to tread into deep waters. It seems like he’s not a fan of the later rounds, given how badly he faded against Eubank. A 2008 British Olympian, Saunders earned the mandatory title fight against Lee with the close win.
THE SMART PLAY
If Eubank can wear Saunders down, Lee can probably do the same if he fights smart. However, Lee’s got some conditioning issues as well. He’s got to score points without pushing the pace too hard, or he could wear down and get knocked out like he did against Brian Vera and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
I honestly think this is a toss-up, but if I was forced to choose, I’d go with Lee’s experience. I just can’t get over Saunders struggles against Eubank, and it also gives Lee a plan to follow against the challenger. It should be close, but Lee will probably walk away with the belt.
PREDICTION: Lee UD Saunders
HOW TO BET
Access live betting lines at BookMaker Sportsbook and start wagering now. With our live betting options, you can also wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Lee-Saunders takes place Saturday, December 19, 2015 in Manchester, England. Showtime Extreme will televise the card starting 5 p.m. ET.
