Billy Joe Saunders (23-0, 12 KOs) outpointed defending champion Andy Lee (34-3-1, 24 KOs) to capture the WBO middleweight title on Saturday night at the Manchester Arena in Manchester.
Saunders scored two crucial knockdowns in the third round and was awarded a close points decision by scores of 114-112 and 115-111, while the third judge had it even at 113-113.
The two southpaws began jabbing from distance until he fight burst into life in the third after Lee connected with a solid straight…