Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders have for the third time set a date for their WBO world title fight, with the bout this evening rescheduled for December 19 in Manchester.

Lee was initially due to face Saunders at Thomond Park in September before illness forced the Limerick fighter to withdraw. The rescheduled fight, due to take place on October 10 in Manchester, was postponed as Saunders suffered an eye injury in training.

The title fight will now take place in the Manchester Arena less than one week before Christmas.

Lee said the delay has made him determined to defeat Saunders before unifying the middleweight titles.

“My fans have been very patient and I’ll give them what they have been waiting for as a Christmas present, beating Saunders and remaining world champion. I’m a proud man and I’m prepared to fight tooth and nail to keep my title. Saunders is in for the fight of his life,” Lee said.

Suanders echoed Lee’s frustration with the repeated delays.

“We’ve talked and talked for months, now we just want to fight” he said.

“It’s been a long time coming, but it’s here now and nobody is going to stop me,” Saunders said.

Promoter Frank Warren said the fight "has the makings of a thriller."

“It’s been frustrating as both Andy and Billy have wanted the fight ... but I’m delighted that it’s set for Saturday 19th December,” he said.

Lee has held the 160lb title since a thrilling sixth-round stoppage of Matt Korobov in December 2014. He has fought once since, a draw with Peter Quillin in April in New York, although is yet to defend his title as the American was unable to make weight and so the fight was a non-title contest.