Hatfield middleweight Billy Joe Saunders faces a tough task on December 19th when he looks to wrest the WBO middleweight title off Ireland’s Andy Lee.

However, the unbeaten 26 year old will have some Irishmen in his corner after it was today announced that the 2008 Olympian has signed a three-year management contract with Macklin’s Gym Marbella.

Upon the announcement, Saunders explained that “I first came across MGM when I was training for the Eubank fight.”

The British, Commonwealth, and European Champion appreciates the Irish-owned outfit’s commitment to their boxers. Saunders described how “not only do they have the best facilities and training programmes, they also can’t do enough for you – and its the same for everyone.”

“I was really impressed with everything they have done for non-champions and the youngsters.”

“Everything I have asked for has been delivered, so now it is my job to get the title and then we sit down and go from there.”

Saunders noted the importance of a good team in boxing, as well as crediting the Puerto Banús-based gym, reasoning that “Boxing is a lone sport, you need to surround yourself with good people.”

“MGM is my home of boxing, its the best place to isolate myself and get on with the job.”