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Warren: Lee versus Saunders in Limerick is a viable option

FRANK Warren wants to make Billy Joe Saunders versus Andy Lee for March of 2015 and is open to putting the bout on in Ireland.

English puncher and former Gary O’Sullivan foe, Saunders is mandatory for the WBO middleweight title Andy Lee won by beating Matt Korobov on December 13.There were suggestions the European champion wanted one more fight before challenging Lee, but his promoter claims they are ready to evoke their mandatory rights.

Lee’s manager and trainer Booth and Warren have already held talks and Booth has informed the English promoter the Limerick man wants a homecoming. Indeed Lee has stated his desire to make his first defence in Thomond Park .

Warren is open to putting on a show in Ireland, but seems to be leaning toward a London dust up. If the teams can’t come to an agreement the fight will go to purse bids.

“(Lee’s win) now set up the fight between him and Billy Joe Saunders which I think will be a real cracker in the first quarter of next year,” Warren told the Irish Examiner.

“We’d like to get it on before the end of March — that’s the name of the game. I spoke with Adam on Tuesday and we’re meeting again in the next week to nail it down. We’ll agree terms and a purse bid won’t be necessary.”

Warren added: “I’m sure he will want to do it in Ireland but that’s something that will need to be sorted out between the two camps. But wherever it makes sense to do it, wherever they can generate the most income is where it will take place.

“Ireland is a viable situation as is London. Billy Joe sold out the ExCeL. It was rammed out. He certainly made a lot of friends there that night with that performance.

“He got a lot of support and was well supported there. Him and Andy Lee is a bigger fight than him and Eubank. I think it would make more sense to do it in the UK but it’s all about sitting down and working it out between us.

“Andy is definitely the biggest puncher Billy Joe would have faced and both of these guys have the capacity to thrill the crowds.

“Everybody loves punchers and Bill is never involved in a boring fight. That mix will make a great fight and thankfully it is now going to happen and first quarter we will see it.”

If team Lee can persuade Warren Ireland is the best venue for the bout a number of other Irish fighters could benefit. Stephen Ormond as a Warren fighter would most certainly get a big fight, indeed his manager Pascal Collins has called for the Promoter to try and make a WBO lightweight World title for the WBO European champ. 

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