Lee has Duddy in his sights

LIMERICK could be set to play host to one of the biggest nights ever in Irish boxing - November 28 in the University Arena in UL has been proposed for the fight most thought not possible between Limerick’s Andy Lee and his fellow Irish boxer John Duddy.


The Castleconnell 25-year-old brought his record to 19 wins from 20 fights when knocking Anthony Shuler out in the eighth round last weekend in the Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Indiana. And, in the aftermath of the fight Andy Lee threw down the gauntlet to Duddy: “I’m up for the fight with John Duddy, this is a fight the public have been speculating about for some considerable time and I believe it will be a memorable occasion with plenty of edge and drama”.
Last weekend was Lee’s first fight back in the US since his shock defeat to Brian Vera 17 months ago.
Andy Lee’s opponent Anthony Shuler was knocked down in the second and fourth rounds and hit the canvas three times in the eighth before the referee stopped the fight.
While the Duddy fight has captured the imagination of boxing fans in Ireland and across the Atlantic, a fight against another renowned Irish middleweight Matthew Macklin could also be on the cards.
“I would be willing to meet any of them, just name the venue. These would be the type of fights that would sell out any venue in Limerick, Dublin or New York,” added Andy Lee.
Top Irish promoter Brian Peters is behind the ambitious plans to stage the Lee and Duddy contest in Limerick: “I see the deal for this fight as a 50/50 one because to me the status of both men in on par, but to make is that bit more attractive to them I’m prepared to offer a €35,000 bonus to the winner. Dangling the carrot of a bonus of this nature should certainly make the fight more interesting to both parties, although there is a lot of serious talking still to be done”.
However, any deal must wait until after October 10 when Duddy fights on a Top Rank Card in New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Meanwhile Macklin meets Finnish fighter Amin Asikainen on September 25 for the European title and has already hinted that he would like to defend that potential title against Lee.
“That would be a great fight for Irish boxing fans,” said Macklin of a potential title defence against Lee.
“It would be the biggest all Irish fight for a long, long time and to have a major belt like a European title on the line would make it a massive occasion.
“Andy’s a good fighter and a decent lad but business is business at the end of the day and if I’m European Champion then I think it’s a fight that makes real sense,” said Macklin.
After Friday’s 20th fight of his pro-career Andy Lee is due back in Limerick next week.
In the last 12 months the Limerick southpaw has been quietly working under the radar picking up valuable experience in the gym and his four outings in Germany, Ireland and the United States and is currently ranked third in the European Boxing Association (EBA) and 14th in the World Boxing Association (WBA) rankings.
“I am happy with the win and so is Andy,” said the Limerick boxer’s manager-trainer Emanuel Steward.
“We move on from here as I want to keep him busy.
“Andy is an excellent prospect and I’m convinced that we haven’t seen the best of him.”

Jerome O’Connell