SAUNDERS READY FOR RYDER AT COPPER BOX ARENA

“John Ryder, you’re next!” roared Billy Joe Saunders after his sensational win over Gary O’Sullivan on Saturday night at Wembley Arena to claim the WBO International Middleweight title.

The Hatfield ace gave a boxing masterclass against the tough Irishman to win a unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards to set up his British title defence against his mandatory challenger.

Saunders, who also holds the Commonwealth title, handed O’Sullivan his first loss in 17 fights and is now targeting Ryder’s unbeaten record at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday 21st September, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

The showdown is one of the most eagerly awaited in British boxing and Saunders is convinced he’ll defeat “The Gorilla”.

“Now lets see if Ryder can cope with the speed, volume and variety of punches and the relentless pace that I’m going to set against him at the Copper Box Arena next month,” Said Saunders.

“I’ve shown what I can do against a very tough and unbeaten fighter in O’Sullivan who was supposed to give me the hardest fight of my career and I took him to school, giving him the boxing lesson of his life,”

“Now I’ll do the same against Ryder, if not better.  I can beat him as easy as I want to beat him, it’s all about me and how I perform on the night, but I’m up for this like never before because there’s a lot at stake,”

“He’s a very hard and strong lad, but limited in boxing skills.  This is all about skills and levels and I’ll leave Ryder in the starting blocks once I start going through all my gears,”

“I’ll be claiming unbeaten records in back-to-back fights, after beating Ryder I have to be recognised as the number one middleweight in Britain.”

Tickets priced at:

£40 Upper Concourse

£50 Lower Seating Bowl

£70 Floor

£120 Ringside

Are available now from:

Eventim*

Box Office: 0844 269 1000

www.eventim.co.uk

*Tickets will be subject to a booking fee.