LEE TURNS NASTY

WBO World Middleweight Champion Andy Lee is boxing’s Jekyll and Hyde by saying he can turn on a nasty switch.

The Irishman is usually a happy character, but he knows his mean side will come out in the titanic battle against undefeated rival Billy Joe Saunders this Saturday night at the Manchester Arena when he puts his title on the line.

Lee and Saunders came face-to-face today in the final press conference before Saturday’s fight and the pair while previously friendly, the tension is definitely increasing between the two.

The dynamite-punching Limerick southpaw, who’s frightening one punch KO power can turn around fights, said, “Once that bell goes I’m a totally different character, it’s like there’s a switch as soon as hear a knock on the dressing room door saying “time to walk” there’s a transition in me and I become a horrible, nasty, person and that will come out in this fight,”

He added, “For me it’s just another fight, yes, there’s a lot stake between us, my family name and honour, his family name and honour, but more importantly my world title is at stake,”

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Billy and his team, we’re professional sportsmen, what you’re going to see on Saturday night is a great, great, fight between two of the best 160 pounders in the world.”

Trainer Adam Booth said, “From our side everything is done and it’s now down to Saturday night and letting these two get it on in the ring. They’re going to be swapping bombs in there.”

Frank Warren’s end of year title extravaganza ‘X-Mas Cracker’ is headlined by two massive world title showdowns with WBO World Middleweight Champion Andy Lee defending his title against Billy Joe Saunders and WBO World Super-Welterweight Champion Liam Smith making his first title defence against Jimmy Kelly. A staggering SIX further titles are on the line with Mitchell Smith defending his WBO Intercontinental Super-Featherweight title against George Jupp; Paul Butler challenges for the Vacant WBO European Super-Flyweight Championship against Silvio Olteanu; Tommy Langford defends his WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Championship; Commonwealth Super-Welterweight Champion Liam Williams and Kris Carslaw clash with the Vacant British title also on the line; Jack Catterall defends his WBO Intercontinental Super-Lightweight Championship against Noe Nunez Rodriguez, and Tom Stalker and Craig Evans clash again for the Vacant WBO European Lightweight Championship. The undercard features Merseyside favourite Joe Selkirk in a six-round contest, Indian superstar Vijender Singh, Anthony Yarde and top Manchester prospects Jack Flattley and Dale Coyne, plus Razza Hamza.

DOORS WILL OPEN FOR THE MANCHESTER ARENA SHOW AT 4PM WITH THE FIRST FIGHT TO START AT 4.15PM. THE FULL RUNNING ORDER CAN BE FOUND AT FRANWARREN.COM

Remaining tickets are available from:

www.frankwarren.com

TicketMaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk
Manchester Arena
0161 950 5000
0161 950 5229 (disabled access bookings)

www.manchester-arena.co.uk
*Tickets are subject to a booking fee.

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