British middleweight Billy Joe Saunders has admitted that it was a difficult decision to turn down the chance to fight for the vacant IBF title.

After Jermain Taylor was stripped of the belt, Saunders was given the option of facing Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam in the spring, but with the European champion already being in line to meet Andy Lee or Peter Quillin for the WBO strap, he has opted to focus on that version of the world title.

The 25-year-old is quoted by Sky Sports News as saying: "I was honoured to be asked to fight for the IBF world title, which has been held by some of the greatest fighters in the sports history, and it was not an easy decision to make.

"But I have a signed a contract with the WBO to fight the winner of Lee and Quillin, and I want to go down that route.

"I'm in boxing to prove that I'm a great and to bring more world titles back to Britain, so I hope the IBF title is one that I can challenge for in the future in some big unification fights."

Saunders could feature in a warm-up bout in New York in April before facing the winner of Lee and Quillin later in the year.