Top 10 performances of Billy Joe Saunders

Picking out the 10 finest victories of Billy Joe Saunders’ career so far

1. DAVID LEMIEUX (UD 12 – DEC 2017)
   Fighting on hostile ground in Canada, Saunders put on a beautiful exhibition of boxing to completely outclass the big-punching Lemieux. The near-flawless performance was replete with showboating and slick skills aplenty.
2. ANDY LEE (MD 12 – DEC 2015)
   In what was a fascinating tactical battle between two talented southpaws, a pair of knockdowns scored by Saunders in the third round proved crucial, with the Hatfield man claiming the WBO middleweight title on the cards.
3. CHRIS EUBANK JNR (SD 12 – NOV 2014)
   After racing into a wide lead in the first half of the contest, Saunders had to withstand a second-half surge from his fierce rival, but withstand it he did. Victory tasted sweet for Billy Joe in what was a real grudge match.
4. MARTIN MURRAY (UD 12 – DEC 2020)
   No one gets an easy night against the tough-as-nails Murray, but Saunders was simply too quick, too clever and, at times, even too strong for his veteran opponent, who was unable to mount any sustained attacks.
5. JOHN RYDER (UD 12 – SEP 2013)
   The tenacious Ryder pushed Saunders extremely hard over the course of an engrossing and keenly contested tussle, but it was the Hertfordshire native who did enough to edge the fight in the eyes of the judges.
6. JARROD FLETCHER (RSF 2 – SEP 2012)
   Despite boasting a fine amateur pedigree, Fletcher failed to extend Billy Joe beyond the second round. The supercharged Saunders wasted no time in demonstrating his dominance by securing a ruthless stoppage win.
7. EMANUELE BLANDAMURA (KO 8 – JUL 2014)
   An eye-catching knockout earned Saunders the European middleweight crown against a dogged and determined adversary in the shape of Blandamura. The finish was cold, composed and conclusive.
8. WILLIE MONROE JNR (UD 12 – SEP 2017)
   It was not particularly pretty – thanks in no small part to the stifling tactics of the awkward Monroe – but the well-conditioned Saunders was a deserved winner in this clash of southpaw slicksters.
9. GARY O’SULLIVAN (UD 12 – JUL 2013)
   The brawling O’Sullivan gave it all he had, yet he was no match for the classy Saunders, whose swift fists racked up the points throughout this one-sided encounter.
10. NICK BLACKWELL (UD 12 – DEC 2012)
    Using the full width of the ring and pumping out sharp jabs, Saunders fended off Blackwell’s aggressive forays to bag the British middleweight belt with a hard-fought triumph.

Billy Joe Saunders in his own words – read here