Saunders vs Monroe Jr

Who won Saunders vs Monroe Jr?

Billy Joe Saunders beat Willie Monroe Jr by unanimous decision in their 12 round contest on Saturday 16th September 2017 at Copper Box Arena in London.

The scorecards were announced as in favor of winner Billy Joe Saunders.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 12 rounds in the Middleweight division, which meant the weight limit was 160 pounds (11.4 stone or 72.6 KG).

This contest was for the WBO middleweight championship of the world.

Saunders vs Monroe Jr stats

Back in September 2017, Billy Joe Saunders stepped into the ring with an undefeated record of 24 wins, zero loses and 0 draws.

Willie Monroe Jr made his way to the ring with a record of 21 wins, 2 loses and 0 draws.

Billy Joe Saunders was the younger man by 3 years, at 28 years old.

Saunders had a height advantage of 1 inch over Monroe Jr. Despite this, Monroe Jr had 3-inch reach advantage.

Both Billy Joe Saunders & Willie Monroe Jr fought out of a southpaw stance.

Saunders was the more experienced professional fighter, having had 1 more fights, and made his debut in 2009, 11 months later than Monroe Jr, whose first professional fight was in 2008. He had fought 42 more professional rounds, 222 to Monroe Jr's 180.

Willie Monroe Jr was ranked number 2 by the WBO in the 160lb division.

Saunders vs Monroe Jr form

Saunders had won 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 2 of them, going the distance 3 times.

In his last fight before this contest, he had defeated Artur Akavov on 3rd December 2016 by unanimous decision in their WBO World Middleweight championship fight at Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley, United Kingdom.

Previous to that, he had defeated Andy Lee on 19th December 2015 by majority decision in their WBO World Middleweight championship fight at Manchester Arena, Manchester.

Going into that contest, he had beat Yoann Bloyer on 24th July 2015 by technical knockout in the 4th round at Wembley Arena, London.

Before that, he had won against Chris Eubank Jr on 29th November 2014 by split decision in their BBBOC British Middleweight and CBC Commonwealth Middleweight championship fight at ExCel Arena, London.

He had beat Emanuele Blandamura on 26th July 2014 by knockout in the 8th round at Manchester Arena, Manchester.

Willie Monroe Jr had beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had defeated Gabriel Rosado on 17th September 2016 by unanimous decision in their 12 round contest at AT&T Stadium, Texas, United States.

Previous to that, he had defeated John Thompson on 11th June 2016 by unanimous decision in their 10 round contest at Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona.

Going into that contest, he had been beaten by Gennady Golovkin on 16th May 2015 by technical knockout in the 6th round in their WBC World Middleweight and WBA Super World Middleweight championship fight at Forum, Inglewood.

Before that, he had won against Brian Vera on 16th January 2015 by unanimous decision in their 10 round contest at Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona.

He had defeated Brandon Adams on 23rd May 2014 by unanimous decision in their 10 round contest at Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Billy Joe Saunders had been fighting more than Willie Monroe Jr.

Going to this contest, Billy Joe Saunders had last fought 9 months and 13 days ago, while Willie Monroe Jr's last outing had been 11 months and 30 days ago.

Saunders' last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 1 month and 21 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 7 months and 17 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 48 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 9.6 rounds on average.

Monroe Jr's last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 3 months and 24 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 7 months and 30 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 48 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 9.6 rounds on average.

What time did Saunders vs Monroe Jr start?

The fighters were expected to ringwalk at around 11:50 PM BST at Copper Box Arena, London, United Kingdom, which was 6:50 PM EST or 3:50 PM PST on the West Coast of America.

Who broadcast Saunders vs Monroe Jr?

Saunders vs Monroe Jr was broadcast on BoxNation in the UK.

What were the odds on Saunders vs Monroe Jr?

Billy Joe Saunders was a 8/25 (-310) favourite going into the contest, while Willie Monroe Jr made his way into the ring at 229/100 (+230) with oddsmakers.