Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of the Commonwealth middleweight title bout between champion Billy Joe Saunders and Australian middleweight titlist Jarrod Fletcher.
The unbeaten rivals step into the ring at York Hall in Bethnal Green, a place of great renown for British boxing fans, protecting unbeaten records.
Saunders, 23, boasts a 14-win record, while Fletcher's stands at 12, despite him being five years older.
We will also bring you coverage of the welterweight bout between Bradley Skeete (8-0) and Peter McDonagh (18-24).
10.54pmThat's it from York Hall. Thanks for joining us tonight and be sure to check in next week when we will have more live boxing coverage!
10.51pmFrank Warren: "If he keeps working with Jimmy [Tibbs] in the gym then he can do something special."
10.50pmFrank Warren: "Billy should be fighting for the British title and we're going to push for that."
10.49pmFrank Warren: "I was very impressed. There was a buzz about the other guy tonight."
10.49pmSaunders: "He wasn't a journeyman, he was a contender."
10.47pmSaunders: "I never overlook anybody. What I want next is the British title."
10.45pmJarrod Fletcher has left the ring before the referee has held up Saunders's hand. Not very sporting.
10.42pmWhat a devastating performance. On paper, this looked like a tricky opponent for Saunders. But he has shown his power and blown his opponent away.
FIGHT OVERTHE REFEREE HAS STEPPED IN! BILLY JOE SAUNDERS WINS BY A SECOND-ROUND TKO!
Round 2Saunders continues to pummel him and Fletcher drops to the canvas!
Round 2Saunders has Fletcher on the ropes! The Aussie is in trouble here!
Round 1Both men have looked sharp in the opening round. Saunders has by no means underestimated his opponent. He's done enough to take the first round.
10.34pmThe referee gives his instructions and the two fighters touch gloves.
10.32pmBilly Joe Saunders comes into The Payback by James Brown.
10.30pmJarrod Fletcher is about to enter the ring. Like every Australian sportsman, he should be entering to Land Down Under by Men at Work. but now, he comes to Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer.
10.22pmSkeete: "It was a very tough, hard fight. I got a good, hard 10 rounds. I got exactly what I expected from Peter McDonagh, it's exactly what I needed."
10.20pmWell, it was closer than I thought, but there were a few close rounds, especially in the early stages.
DECISIONThe referee scores the contest 97-95 in favour of Bradley Skeete.
Round 10No doubt Skeete will have tougher tasks down the line, but he has done well to overcome the 42-fight veteran. He was a lively opponent and Skeete showed his fitness to comfortably last the distance. It's the first time he has boxed past eight.
Round 10It's the final round and Skeete is well in control.
Round 9This has been a great test for Skeete so far. He has had to tough it early on against a relentless assault, and now he has weathered that storm and is well on top.
Round 8Skeete is loading up on the combinations now and is leaving his guard low. He is oozing with confidence now.
Round 8Great uppercut from Skeete but it did not break McDonagh's stride.
Round 8Skeete's trainer has told him that "only now have you just made it level". Maybe a bit of a kick up the backside, but I have him ahead by three now.
Round 7McDonagh has let his fists go a bit, but nothing like he did in the early throws of the fight. He has gassed himself and his punches look tired now.
Round 7Skeete has landed at will in the first half of that round, but given what we have just heard from McDonagh's trainer that is bound to be expected.
Round 7McDonagh's corner are giving him decent advice. They can see their man is flagging slightly and his trainer is urging him: "if you need to slow down then take the last minute of the round".
Round 6A bit of a scrappy round that one, with perhaps Skeete just shading it. He is landing more frequently.
Round 6So we're past the halfway stage in this 10-rounder. I have Skeete ahead by one, as McDonagh looks as if the pace he has fought the first four rounds is starting to catch up on him.
Round 5McDonagh has taken his foot off the gas a bit now. He is not coming into range with as much regularity now. He is sitting just out of range, but he must be blowing a bit by now.
Round 5Skeete's punches look feathery, while McDonagh's face looks like it's made from iron.
Round 4Skeete upped the work rate slightly in the later stages of the round. I've got it even after four.
Round 4Skeete has shown some promise in his fledgling career. He looks like a slick operator and these early fights are key to gaining experience. He will do well to come through this one, because it's proving to be a tough assignment.
Round 4This fight is a decent mix of styles. McDonagh is the man coming forward and Skeete seems content to box off the back foot. Both men are landing, but it's McDonagh's that seem to have more sting. skeete has hit works cut out.
Round 3McDonagh is the man forcing the action in this round. Skeete is allowing him inside far too easily.
Round 2McDonagh is piling the pressure on Skeete. He is right in his face, although Skeete had been on top early in the round.
Round 1McDonagh landed a great overhand right that just had Skeete worried for a moment, but he took it well in the end.
9.34pmBefore that though, we have Bradley Skeete up against Peter McDonagh.
9.30pmEvening all! Welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of Billy Joe Saunders's second defence of his Commonwealth middleweight title.
Written by
Michael Penkman
Michael Penkman
