Billy Joe Saunders and Liam Smith both target WBO bouts with Miguel Cotto

BILLY JOE SAUNDERS and Liam Smith are gunning for Miguel Cotto after they continued the British boxing boom.

 

Both Billy Joe Saunders and Liam Smith want to fight Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto

 

Hatfield-based Traveller Saunders, 26, became Great Britain's 12th reigning world champion when he wrenched the WBO middleweight strap from Ireland's Andy Lee on Saturday night.

While Smith made the first defence of his WBO light-middleweight title by stopping Jimmy Kelly in the seventh round at Manchester Arena.

Now both Saunders and Smith want to face Puerto Rican Cotto, who competes at both of their weights.

Saunders said: "Since I was a young boy I thought I would love that fight against Cotto, his style suits me. If I could have two weeks off, I would get back in training, I would love that fight. To go to America and do it would be a bigger dream."

 

Smith spoke before his comprehensive win over Kelly about facing Cotto and promoter Frank Warren believes either man could face the veteran former world champion.

He said: "For Liam there are a couple of fights I'm looking at, they were talking about Cotto as well as Bill so that would be one. He is capable in going in with the best in the division, he will be around for a good while. We will get him a big fight."

Another fight out there for Saunders is WBA and IBF champion Gennady Golovkin, but the British boxer is not ready for the Kazakh knockout artist.

He said: "I know he wants to clean up the division, but I have to do what is best for my career. Realistically I am 18 months away from that fight."