Billy Joe Saunders has successfully defended the WBO World Middleweight title belts against Willie Monroe Jr on a points decision.
A fight that was edged by the defending champion – which also saw Anthony Yarde destroy Norbert Nemesapati to retain the WBO European and vacant inter-Continental titles – was only ever going one way as Saunders was prepared to take the required risks, overcoming his opponent 117-111, 115-114, 117-112.
Saunders defence quickly became known as a Golovkin-Canelo warm-up but nonetheless, Saunders did was needed tonight, and backed up his son’s sucker-punch on Monroe in the weigh-in well.
Billy Joe Saunders retained his WBO World middleweight title against Willie Monroe Jr
The pair were contesting the WBO middleweight title belt at the Copper Box Arena, London
The British boxer extended his unbeaten streak to 25 fights with by 117-111, 115-114, 117-112
Saunders has previously admitted he has one eye on Golovkin-Canelo who bout in Las Vegas
‘It’s all fun and games, I can’t discredit the man,’ Saunders said of his opponent. ‘I felt a bit of ring rust. Thank you for Willie Monroe Jr.’
The pleasantries would stop there though, as the 28-year-old would then pass the microphone onto his son: ‘Sorry for punching in the nuts,’ said Saunders Jr, which the now defeated American took well.
Naturally the defending champion Saunders, who extended his unbeaten streak to 25, was the more comfortable of the two as continuously lined up the jabs and began chipping away at his opponent from the onset.
Anthony Yarde was also in action on the under-card retaining his WBO European title
Collecting the rounds as he went, Saunders never really looked out of his depth until the latter phases of the contest, with the only exception coming when he was dealt a heavy blow not by a fist, but by the head of Monroe, who quite clearly unintentionally clashed heads with the defending champ.
Luckily for Saunders though, it would only be blood that he was losing, and not the fight as his corner continued to repeat: ‘It’s just a scratch,’ during his the breaks between rounds, heard clearly on BT Sport’s coverage.
Monroe did grow in confidence throughout, however, and it wasn’t until he gave one last push for glory in the final three rounds, throwing wild swings at his opponent, that he looked like he was in the fight, let alone in the ring.
But his efforts would go unrewarded as it proved too little too late for the American, who was unable to force the deathly blow.
Where Yarde’s lasted just three rounds, Saunders was put to work needing points for the win
But was aggressive and kept Monroe at bay landing numerous strong blows
Monroe eventually came alive in the closing phases of the bout, landing swift blows
But could only watch on come the final bell as Saunders went onto claim is 25th successive win
‘Sorry for punching you in the nuts,’ said Saunders Jr to cap-off another victory for senior