New WBO middleweight champion of the World Billy Joe Saunders would be open to giving Limerick’s Andy Lee a rematch.

Saunders unbuckled the title from around the waist of Lee with a majority points win in Manchester on Saturday night.

Post fight Lee expressed a rematch desire and Saunders suggested it was something they could explore.

Considering the bout was more brains than brawl their was no massive immediate fan clamour for a rematch, but it was a close, tense fight, which was ultimately decided by two Suanders knock downs in round three.

“Andy showed a good account of himself tonight, a rematch could go. I’m sure we could do a bigger venue down in London that’s something that we could talk about as well,” Saunders said afterwards.

Post fight Saunders, who is managed by MGM, was full of delight and respect for his Irish opponent.

“I can’t believe that I’m finally world champion.  It’s been my destiny to win a world title and I always knew that I would do it, but it’s unreal that I finally done it.

“Andy Lee has my full respect, he a true fighting man and the better man won, I know he will come again, he must be disappointed losing his world title, but he’ll come again.  He was a hard man and I thought I had him in the third round, but he showed what a tough man he is and made me rethink my plans, but it showed I can adapt at world level.

“I’m having a good rest over Christmas with my kids who I haven’t seen over the last six weeks and then I’m ready to look forward to a big 2016 and I’ll fight anybody out there.”