Saunders off to flier in boxing with superb victory over Kilicci

By Sportsmail Reporter
Updated: 17:02 EST, 10 August 2008

Billy Joe Saunders will target a second successive victory over top Cuban Carlos Banteaux after making short work of world bronze medallist Adem Kilicci on his Olympic debut at the Workers' Stadium.

The 18-year-old from Hertford eased to a 14-3 victory over the experienced Turk after a performance of unerring accuracy which was hailed by head coach Terry Edwards as a masterful and mature display.

Next up Saunders faces the Cuban favourite whom he beat in a tournament in Bulgaria earlier this year, as he aims to extend a remarkable senior record now standing at just one loss in 29 fights.

Billy Joe Saunders beat Turkey's Adem Kilicci in their first round Welterweight clash in Beijing

Saunders said: 'It's going to be hard and I'm going to have to put everything into it to get a result but I've already beaten the Cuban before.

'Today I've beaten the world bronze medallist by 10 points so I'm feeling great.

'I've got to deal with this sort of pressure and if I do it then hopefully I'll get a medal for Great Britain.

'I've overcome this big step of getting into the ring for the first time and hopefully I'll continue to improve.

'I'm in a tough draw but I've got to stick to it and hopefully get through.'

Kilicci was lucky to avoid a standing count when he stumbled under a crashing Saunders right hand in the second round and the youngster's tremendous accuracy
enabled him to coast into the second round.

Saunders is the kind of fighter who appears oblivious to the tremendous sense of occasion and coach Edwards compared his admirably level-headed approach to that of Amir Khan, who was 17 when he won silver four years ago.

Edwards said: 'It was a mature performance from the youngest member of our team.

'It's Billy's first big tournament and they don't get any bigger than this. He showed so much maturity.

'I think Billy's a bit more mature than Amir was at his age. Billy's got a good brain and he's particularly quick and adaptable. He can cope with most styles and it's a great start for him.'

Meanwhile, another Saunders in Britain's boxing squad also enjoyed a winning start. Bradley - no relation to Billy Joe - rounded off a superb 65th birthday for Edwards by taking just 144 seconds to floor Ghana’s Samuel Kotey twice and steamroller into the second round.

The 22-year-old, who admitted he had been nervous prior to his bout, said: ‘I’ve definitely got the power and I proved it tonight.’

Irish light-welterweight John Joe Joyce also made it safely through the first stage with an impressive 9-5 win over Hungarian Gyula Kate after leading throughout the close contest.