WBO orders middle-class champion Billy Joe Saunders to fight against demanding challenger Demetrius Andrade. / Photo: Frontproof Media

SAN JUAN - WBO middle-class boxing champion Billy Joe Saunders gets a mandate from the World Boxing Organization to fight for the title defense with unbeaten challenger Demetrius "Boo Boo" Andrade (25-0, 16KO).

The WBO gives both parties a 10-day time to negotiate and reach an agreement. If there is no agreement, the purse bid will be made in accordance with the WBO rules for the world championships. The minimum acceptable bid is USD200,000.

Since the victory over former world champion David Lemieux in December 2017, Billy Joe Saunders (26-0, 12KO) never again in action in the boxing ring. Superb's nickname owner was plagued with injury problems.

Saunders twice withdrew from his combat squad battle planman Martin Murray. British boxer was forced to withdraw from the battle, because of injuries in training.

So far, Saunders has three managed to defend the WBO middle class champion belt since taking it from Andy Lee in December 2015.

Meanwhile, almost similar to Saunders, Andrade is also not a boxer who is active this year. The 30-year-old United States recorded his last game in October last year, or when he won Alantez Fox in his middle-class debut after winning the WBA crown in the junior middle class.