Billy Joe Saunders is the new WBO world middleweight champion after defeating Andy Lee at the Manchester Arena on Saturday. br br Saunders, 26, was awarded a close points decision by the judges to extend his unbeaten record to 23-0-KO12. br br Defending champion Lee, who won the title against Matt Korobov in Las Vegas last year, was knocked down twice by Saunders in the third round - a 10-7 round which proved pivotal.