Andy Lee likes matchup against Billy Joe Saunders and pending bidding war tied to WBO belt

The way Andy Lee sees it, the Brits have become too exuberant about his weekend opponent, unbeaten middleweight Billy Joe Saunders.

Odds for the bout in England are even, but Lee, 31, said he plans to utilize his experience, height and reach advantages against the faster-punching Saunders and move on to bigger things, including a possible title unification bout against Gennady Golovkin or Daniel Jacobs.

“In England, without as much talent over here, they overestimate their guys,” Lee said. “In my mind, I’m favored. I’ve fought guys more tested than [Saunders] has.”

Lee (34-2-1, 24 knockouts) avenged a 2008 loss to former middleweight title challenger Brian Vera in 2011, he fought an overweight Peter Quillin to a draw in April, and he suffered a technical-knockout loss to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in 2012.

In Europe, he’s 14-0 and said he sees distinct advantages over Saunders (22-0, 12 KOs) beyond five years’ experience.

“I’ll be the better boxer than he is,” Lee said. “He has a high work rate, but my sense of timing is better. With that kind of attack, with a better jab being the key, I’ll look to stop the fight.”

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Showtime Extreme will televise the bout from Manchester Arena in England at 5 p.m. Pacific on Saturday, with World Boxing Assn. “world” middleweight champion Jacobs serving as an analyst on the broadcast.

“I’m rooting for Andy Lee because I think that’s a bigger fight for me,” Jacobs said in a Showtime statement. “Doing something in the U.S. between the two of us would make a lot of sense. He has a huge following here in New York, just like me obviously. It would be a classic showdown that Brooklyn would appreciate.

“May the best man win between the two of them, but if Andy wins I think it would be very interesting for both of us.”

Should he win, Lee would also possess one of the major belts that unbeaten WBA “super” and International Boxing Federation middleweight champion Golovkin seeks in his bid to unify the division.

Golovkin will fight in the spring, then is scheduled to meet World Boxing Council middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in the fall.

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“I have to win on Sunday night [England time], but Golovkin is a great champion,” Lee said. “If I come through, I’ll fight Jacobs, Golovkin or Alvarez.

“Whatever’s the easiest fight to make, whatever is the best money fight, the best situation. My attitude is the best fight the best. I’ve fought in America many times, and I’m prepared that if I win, I’ll go back to America.”

Twitter: @latimespugmire

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