Billy Joe Saunders put on a dominant 12 round performance on Saturday, defeating Shefat Isufi via unanimous decision (120-108, 117-111 & 118-110) and becoming the new WBO Super Middleweight Champion. The championship was vacated prior to the fight which took place at Lamex Stadium, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, UK.
Saunders looked comfortable in the opening rounds, landing combinations and even finding time to taunt his opponent. He seemed to be more mobile than Isufi throughout. The only hiccup in his offence came in round 6 when Saunders was caught with two overhand rights that had him retreating. He walked the perimeter of the ring for the rest of the round.
After the fight, Saunders called out Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin whilst expressing his interest in a bout with Callum Smith. “Golovkin and Canelo, they don’t want that style… I’ll sign the contract twice to fight them,” said Saunders. Smith’s last bout was in September, defeating George Groves and extending his undefeated record to 25-0.
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Saunders | Isufi |
| Round 1 | 10 | 9 |
| Round 2 | 10 | 9 |
| Round 3 | 10 | 9 |
| Round 4 | 10 | 9 |
| Round 5 | 10 | 9 |
| Round 6 | 9 | 10 |
| Round 7 | 10 | 9 |
| Round 8 | 10 | 9 |
| Round 9 | 10 | 9 |
| Round 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Round 11 | 10 | 9 |
| Round 12 | 10 | 9 |
| Total | 119 | 109 |
JackWannan.com 