By Shaun Brown

Billy Joe Saunders says he wants to fight four-weight world champion Miguel Cotto or new WBC Middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.

The unbeaten Brit (23-0, 12 KOs) became the new WBO World middleweight champion tonight in Manchester after defeating Andy Lee via a majority decision (114-112, 115-113, 113-113). Saunders dropped the Irishman twice in the third round en route to capturing world honours.

Speaking to the media afterwards, the 26-year-old southpaw said: “I’ve beat Chris Eubank Jr and Spike (O’Sullivan) and now I’ve beat the world champ Andy Lee. I want Cotto or Canelo.”

Saunders adds the world title after winning the Southern Area, Commonwealth, British and European 160lb titles since his eleventh fight in 2011.

The defeated Andy Lee said the new champion deserved the win but added: “I would like another go of it. I felt I finished stronger but the two knockdowns cost me the fight.”

Shaun Brown is Boxing Scene’s UK News Editor. Follow him on Twitter @sbrown2pt0. Contact him at sbrownboxing@gmail.com