Billy Joe Saunders 27-0 (13) will face Shefat Isufi 27-3-2 (20) for the interim WBO super middleweight title at Lamex Stadium in Stevenage, England on Saturday May 18.
Reigning WBO 168-pound champion Gilberto Ramirez was widely expected to move up in weight and vacate the title, however he has elected to hold on to the belt for now.
“This is a good homecoming, but a bit of pressure because I have never boxed so close to home. I’ve got to make sure I’m on my game because Isufi is looking to take my head off. My mind has got to be focused and set new challenges,” the 29-year-old Saunders said.
“I love the Ingle gym and loved working with Dominic Ingle and there are no hard feelings – he may even be in the corner with Ben. There is unfinished business in me and people haven’t seen the best.
“I have never been more determined and I have a lot to prove this year. I had a terrible 2018 inside and outside the ring and I know I have to be on top flight for Isufi.
“I am open to boxing at super-middleweight and middleweight. I’ve not got miles on the clock, in my 27 fights I have taken ten hard punches and I am just coming into my prime.
“I believe I am the best middleweight and super-middleweight in the world bar none. I want to get noticed at 168lb. I would definitely fancy a fight against Callum Smith. I mentioned it to Frank Warren] before that it would be a good fight to make. He is great fighter and the type I want to test myself against. It would be hard to say, ‘No’ to that fight.”
Isufi has extra drive and determination to deliver Saunders his first professional defeat.
“I promised my father on his death bed that I would be a world champion and this is my chance,” said the 29-year-old Isufi.
“Billy can have a million people cheering him on, there’s only going to be two of us in that ring on fight night. I will give Billy Joe a very tough night. Billy is very good fighter, very fast and quick and a good puncher but I am very confident I will give him a tough time.”
Promoter Frank Warren elaborated on the status of the WBO super middleweight championship.
“The champion Gilberto Ramirez called the WBO and said he would vacate and they put the fight out to Billy and Isufu and we agreed terms, but Ramirez then said he hadn’t decided so this is now interim title. I believe Ramirez could vacate and the winner will be declared full champion,” Warren said.
“We were stuck with no London venue available in May, so we decided to think outside the box and go local to Bill, and bring the fight to Stevenage FC. It’s a good facility which will have a 10-12,000 capacity for boxing.
“We tried to make the Chris Eubank Jr. rematch and they didn’t want to know, they don’t want Eubank to fight Billy Joe Saunders under any circumstances.”
 will face Shefat Isufi 27-3-2 (20) for the interim WBO super middleweight title at Lamex Stadium in Stevenage, England on Saturday May 18.){kind=link}