JUST BILLIANT
Dominant Billy Joe Saunders beats Shefat Isufi on points to become two-weight world champion
The Stevenage ace was Superb at times as he outmanoeuvred and outfought to go 28-0 the German but he did have a scare in the sixth
BILLY JOE SAUNDERS landed his second world title with a defensive masterclass against overmatched Shefat Isufi.
Seven months after dropping his WBO middleweight world title over a failed drugs test, the proud Traveller landed himself the same strap up at super-middle with a virtuoso display that was only marred by a round-six scare.
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With the 12st belt now around his waist, the former Team GB Olympian can chase down unification fights with monsters like Callum Smith and Canelo but he will need to be more spiteful after winning it 120-108, 117-111 and 118-110 on the scorecards.
The 29-year-old local hero started the Stevenage FC fight with his hands gunslinger low — but his rapid jab kept Isufi well away.
Twice Saunders, who was walked into the ring by friend and gym-mate Tyson Fury, let rip with flurries, but the Munich-based Albanian absorbed the shots on his high gloves and shaved head.
The Hatfield ace started the night at 27-0 and began the second round with a more conservative stance, fists up around his blond beard.
But 29-year-old Isufi never looked like threatening the undefeated ace, who unloaded with a dozen rat-a-tat shots as Isufi clammed up, but only the visitor’s scorecard was harmed.
BIGGER FISH TO FRY
The crowd roared in the third when Isufi threw two wild hooks and Saunders topped off some exquisite defensive work with his trademark gaze into the distance, looking sarcastically for where the punches might have landed.
In the fourth, Isufi shipped a vicious left hook and blood was starting to spew from his battered face.
The ex-cruiserweight must have had his spirit broken after missing with almost every punch he dared to throw in the fifth, with slippery Saunders at his eel-like best against the ropes.
But, as soon as the bell for the sixth rang, Isufi caught Saunders napping and crashed a mammoth right hand into the Brit’s skull and he had to cling on until the fog cleared and he was able to walk the pain off.
Saunders appeared to have given up on the 14th stoppage win of his career by the seventh, with Isufi looking condemned to a points defeat.
MOST READ IN BOXING
The southpaw did land some heavy shots in the eighth but Isufi had only been stopped once, back in 2015 when his team had thrown in the towel to end a light-heavyweight clash and the ninth was a similar affair.
The freezing Hertfordshire crowd had little to warm them up in the next six minutes, as Saunders went through the motions racking up points.
But he did land a couple of peaches in the final round as he completed a classy night’s work and clinched his second crown.
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