Saunders returns to action to put WBO crown on the line in Cardiff

Undefeated WBO World Middleweight Champion Billy Joe Saunders begins his reign with the opening defence of his title on Saturday 22 October at the Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, exclusively live on BoxNation.

Saunders, 23-0 12 KO’s, joins a sensational five-title fight card that features Welsh hero Liam Williams defending his British Super-Welterweight title against undefeated Londoner Ahmet Patterson; Penge star Bradley Skeete making a mandatory defence of his British Welterweight crown against Manchester’s Shayne Singleton; Baggies bomber Tommy Langford challenging for the Vacant British Middleweight strap and Liverpool’s Tom Stalker making the first defence of his WBO European Lightweight title against Welshman Craig Evans.

Remaining tickets priced at £70, £100 and £150 are available from Motorpoint Arena Cardiff; 029 2022 4488 and www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk, Eventim; 0844 249 1000 and www.eventim.co.uk, Ticketmaster; 0844 8440 444 and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Last December, Saunders defeated Andy Lee to take his WBO crown in a close and absorbing fight in Manchester that saw the Hatfield star floor the Irishman twice in the third round and go on to claim a majority decision from the judges.

The skillful, hard-hitting, southpaw knows it is vital that he makes a successful maiden defence of his WBO crown if he is to remain on track to meet Middleweight monster Gennady Golovkin, who holds the WBA Super, IBF and WBC titles, in a mouth-watering blockbuster clash with all the titles on the line in the New Year.

27 year-old Saunders is delighted to be making his long-awaited return to the ring and is promising Cardiff fight fans an explosive performance.

“I can’t wait to shake the cobwebs off and get back in there where I belong; it’s been too long,” said Saunders. “Every fight is dangerous at this stage so it is important that I don’t overlook or underestimate anybody. I have worked long and hard to get where I am today and there is some huge fights out there for me.

“I need to take care of this fight and then I’ll move on to bigger and better things. I’m fully focused on the job in hand and putting on an explosive performance down in Cardiff. I can’t wait to get this show on the road!”

An action-packed undercard sees world title chasing Paul Butler return to the ring under new trainer Joe Gallagher, Swindon KO king Jamie Cox makes his long-awaited return in an eight round Super-Middleweight Contest, Ilford demolition man Anthony Yarde looks to continue his red-hot KO streak after emphatically announcing himself in the U.S. with another first round KO, Leicester super-puncher Lyon Woodstock looks to go 8-0, rising Swansea Super-Flyweight starlet Jay Harris looks to impress on home soil again and Croydon Super-Lightweight prospect Nathaniel Wilson goes in search of his fourth professional win.

An opponent will be announced this week.

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions, will televise this fight on Sky (SD Ch.437 and HD Ch.490), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon).

Go to www.boxnation.com to see how you can watch this fight and more live!