By Elliot Foster

Billy Joe Saunders has confirmed the date for his ring return.

The WBO middleweight world champion has been out of the ring since last December when he ripped the crown away from former titlist Andy Lee at Manchester Arena.

Saunders, 23-0 (12 KOs), had been set to defend his crown on April 30 against Ukraine’s Max Bursak at London’s Copper Box Arena, but after suffering a minor injury the Hatfield ace was forced out of the clash.

But the 26-year-old has now recovered from the problem and will make his comeback on September 17, letting his fans know on social media as he tweeted: “My [return] date is September 17 [and I am] getting ready."

There have been reports that the Frank Warren-promoted southpaw would feature on the undercard of his promotional stablemate Liam Smith’s WBO super-welterweight title defence against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in America on the aforementioned date but that has yet to be confirmed.

Boxing Scene understands that former IBF middleweight world champion David Lemieux (35-3, 32 KOs), 27, has been mooted as a potential for Saunders’ return.

However, nothing is nailed down in terms of having been announced and further information is expected to be revealed in due course.