Billy Joe Saunders has become a two-weight world champion after winning the vacant WBO super-middleweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Shefat Isufi at the Lamex Stadium in Stevenage.
Having stepped up from middleweight, he eased to scores of 120-108, 117-111 and 118-110 from the three ringside judges.
The 29-year-old Saunders briefly appeared hurt in the sixth round, when he took a strong right hand, but he otherwise outclassed his Albanian opponent.
He was also fighting for the first time since reuniting with trainer Ben Davison, who also oversees Tyson Fury's fight preparations.
Fancy footwork ⚡️
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) May 18, 2019
Trademark showmanship 👀
Belt around the waist 🙌
Enjoy the highlights as Billy Joe Saunders dominated Shefat Isufi!
The new WBO Super-Middleweight World Champion 👊 pic.twitter.com/A0uFwUlzzp
What next for @bjsaunders_?
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) May 18, 2019
"Golovkin and Canelo, they don't want that style."
"I signed the contract, Golovkin didn't."
Billy Joe and @BenDavison_ want the biggest fights possible 👀 pic.twitter.com/y4DPT8MCoa
"Now he's got his belt, he's got his seat back at the table."
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) May 18, 2019
"On his night, Bill has the beating of Golovkin."@frankwarren_tv insists Billy Joe Saunders is capable of beating both Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez. pic.twitter.com/GDldpyyGOj
Billy Joe Saunders is enjoying himself in there!
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) May 18, 2019
He delights the crowd with a throwback to that iconic Lemieux moment 🙌 pic.twitter.com/qfAYkvCQwQ
