Lee returns to the ring

LIMERICK pro-boxer Andy Lee steps back between the ropes in the US this Friday for the first time since his only career defeat 17 months ago.
Back in March 2008 the 25-year-old Castleconnell middleweight had hoped to ignite his career with a bout against Brian Vera. Screened live across the states, the contest went horribly wrong as Lee’s unbeaten run of 15 wins came to a crashing end.


In the last year and a half, the former Olympian has rebuilt his world title quest with three wins - in Dublin, Limerick and Germany. This Friday, Lee makes his reappearance in the US when he faces Indianapolis’ Anthony Shuler in the Horse Shoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana.
For his 20th professional fight the southpaw brings a career record of 18 wins and one defeat into the ring while his 32-year-old opponent has a record of 20 wins, six losses and one draw.
In Friday’s 10-round middleweight contest Lee was to face Jose Humberto Corral, but he was forced to withdraw due to a training injury.
“He’s a better opponent, better known in boxing and is a step up from the other guy. It was always likely to happen you know, that the opponent changes in this type of fight and it was something I was kind of prepared for,” said Andy Lee ahead of this weekend’s contest.
Andy’s brother Roger has flown out to the US to assist during a training camp.
“It’s been a good camp,” reported Lee.
“I’ve been sparring with Dominique Dalton, who is fighting himself on August 29. We’ve been sparring each other and helping each other prepare, and he is definitely one to look out for in the future,” said Lee.
The Emanuel Steward-managed middleweight has not fought since June when the former St. Francis Boxing Club star had a six-round points win over Latvia’s Olegs Fedetovs in Germany’s Gelsenkirchen’s Veltins Arena.
All going well Andy Lee will return home to Limerick next week and could be back in the ring again in October.
On this side of the Atlantic, British and Irish middleweight champion Matthew Macklin has spoken of the possibility of fighting Lee.
Birmingham-born Tipperary man Macklin meets Finnish fighter Amin Asikainen on September 25 for the European title and a win could set up a massive all-Irish clash.
“That would be a great fight for Irish boxing fans,” said Macklin of a potential clash with 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.”
The Brian Peters-managed Macklin has recently linked up with friend and former sparring partner Ricky Hatton to join his new promotional outfit and his first outing for the ‘Hitman’ comes at the Manchester Velodrome on September 25 when he tops the bill against Asikainen.
“A defence in Ireland against Andy Lee would be great, but for now I’m just concentrating on winning the title,” said Mathew Macklin.

Jerome O’Connell