Andy Lee could face John Duddy in Limerick

ANDY Lee looks set for a mouth-watering battle against one of his fellow world class Irish middleweight boxers.
Limerick’s pro-boxer steps back between the ropes in the US this Friday for the first time since his only career defeat 17 months ago.


Ahead of that fight Irish boxing promoter Brian Peters has upped the ante for a possible clash between Lee and John Duddy.
Brian Peters, who has promoted all of Lee’s fights in Ireland and who has also worked previously with Duddy, wants to pair the star duo in the University of Limerick on Saturday, November 28.
“I see the deal for this fight as a 50/50 one because to me the status of both men is on a par - but to make it that bit more attractive to them I’m prepared to offer a €35,000 bonus to the winner,” said Peters, who also manages Bernard Dunne.
“Dangling the carrot of a bonus of this nature should certainly make the fight more interesting to both parties,” Brian Peters said.
“Although there is a lot of serious talking still to be done,” explained Peters, who is currently involved with reality television show, Lords of the Ring.
Another potential clash for Lee could be a European title fight against another Irish man - Matthew Macklin. Birmingham born Tipperary man, Macklin meets Finnish fighter Amin Asikainen on September 25 for the European title.
“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 Mathew Macklin.
Before all that Lee must keep his career on track this Friday night.
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 had 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 the weekend 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 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 Castleconnell’s Andy Lee.

Jerome O’Connell

Andy Lee sees off Alex Sipos to register seventeenth win

THERE were no howling epithets at The O2 on Saturday night for Andy Lee, just solemn contentment at business smartly done after the Limerick southpaw saw off the challenge of Germany’s Alex Sipos in front of a 9,000-strong crowd in Dublin.
Referee Emile Tiedt scored the contest 99-91 in favour of the Castleconnell middleweight and although Andy Lee always looked comfortable Sipos did present the Limerick man with a tricky obstacle to surmount.
In the immediate aftermath of his 17th professional win Andy Lee was relieved to earn the referee’s decision: “That was as tough as I expected. Alex is tough and has a lot of pride. He’s a hard fighter and he forced me back.
“The ten rounds will stand to me and I will move on from here. I was very rusty because of the long lay off, but there are no excuses. Thankfully I won the fight so it’s onwards and upwards from here.”
Andy Lee had not stepped into the ring since defeating Willie Gibbs in the UL Arena on July 19 last and had spent the intervening months nursing a troublesome cut over his right eye which required surgery. And, the Lee corner, led by Emanuel Steward, were concerned when Andy sustained another cut over that right eye as early as the opening round on Saturday night.
“I thought he (Alex Sipos) fought a good fight,” explained Emanuel Steward.
“We knew it was going to be tough. Sipos is a strong fighter, who keeps his hands up high and makes it very difficult.
“We were concerned about the cut over Andy’s eye so considering everything we’re very happy to get away with this victory.”
Saturday’s bout marked the one-year anniversary of Andy Lee’s only defeat in the professional ranks - on March 21, 2008 Lee suffered his first defeat (TKO) at the hands of Brian Vera. So defeat against Sipos was unthinkable for Lee who weighed in at a sturdy 11 stone eight pounds.
Lee had planned to take on Antwun Echols in Madison Square Garden on March 16, but that bout was cancelled at the last minute. Ironically Alex Sipos proved a much more able opponent than Echols - Sipos won a World Military gold medal and also challenged for the European middleweight title as a pro.
After an eight-month lay-off Andy Lee looked rusty in the opening round and although he caught Sipos with a good left hand the German recovered to connect with a barrage late in the round which left the Limerick man nursing a cut over his right eye.
Lee steadied himself in the second round however and proceeded to take control of the fight keeping the physically powerful Sipos at bay with a stinging right jab.
The third and fourth rounds followed a predictable pattern with Lee in complete control.
Sipos looked a one-dimensional fighter, but he did catch Lee with a dangerous left in the fifth round.
Andy Lee regained control in the sixth and dropped Sipos with a stunning right hook late in the round - Sipos survived referee Emile Tiedt’s standing eight count.
Sipos struggled through round seven and eight, but rallied significantly in the last two rounds of this ten-round contest.
The German charged forward in search of a knockout and although he caught Lee with several dangerous right hands the Limerick man never looked in any real danger.

Brian McDonnell

Shock cancellation stuns local boxers

THE economic downturn has been blamed for the shock cancellation of the Limerick pro-boxing double bill in New York on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day.
Castleconnell’s Andy Lee was to headline the event in Madison Square Garden with another former St. Francis Boxing Club member Jamie Power on the undercard.
Just 10 days before the event, Irish Ropes Promotions announced that ‘Erin Go Brawl II’ at the WAMU Theatre in Madison Square Garden had been cancelled, citing “the poor economy in the United States and Ireland that adversely affected advance ticket sales” for its decision.
“This was a very difficult decision to make, but ticket sales were way off compared to two years ago when the economy was much better here and back in Ireland,” Irish Ropes president Eddie McLoughlin explained.
“We apologise for any inconvenience, especially to all of the boxers who worked so hard to prepare for their fights.”


Detroit-based middleweight Lee was scheduled to fight three-time world title challenger Antwun Echols in the main event while former WBC bantamweight champion and 1992 Olympic silver medallist Wayne McCullough had been set to meet Alex Becerra in the 10-round co-feature. Jamie Power, a 28-year-old married father of two from Norwood Park, was to face Reggie La Crete in a six-round contest.
Jamie Power’s manager Ken Moore described the cancellation as a “huge” blow to the popular light heavyweight.
“This is a huge disappointment to Jamie - it was always his dream to box in Madison Square Garden.
“He has done so much work to get ready for this fight and everything was ready for him to fly out next Thursday,” Ken Moore told Leader Sport.
The cancellation has caused major travel problems for over 30 Limerick boxing fans who were due to fly to New York for the event.
“My brother Jamie Moore was flying out with Jamie Power next Thursday and nearly everyone on the flight was going over to see Jamie and Andy box,” explained Ken Moore.
While Andy Lee and manager Emanuel Steward take time to decide his next move, Jamie Power is hoping to get into the ring as soon as possible.
“Jamie has worked really hard since Christmas and is in the best shape of his career. We will try our luck and maybe get him on the undercard of the Bernard Dunne world title fight on March 21 and there is also a possibility of a Galway event at the end of the month,” said Ken Moore.

Jerome O'Connell

Boxing Blow: Lee and Power disappointed as Madison Square Garden cancelled

LIMERICK'S boxing double-bill in Madison Square Garden has been sensationally cancelled.
Castleconnell middleweight Andy Lee was to headline an event at the famed boxing theatre on the eve of St Patrick's Day, but the event, which was promoted by Eddie McLaughlin of Irish Ropes was called off during the night.
Poor ticket sales have been blamed for the cancellation.
On the undercard of Lee's 10-round fight was to be Limerick city light heavyweight Jamie Power.
The 28 year old married father of two from Norwood Park was to face Reggie La Crete in a six round contest.
Power's manager Ken Moore described the cancellation as a "huge" blow to the popular former St Francis Boxing Club member.
"This is a huge disappointment to Jamie - it was always his dream to box in Madison Square Garden. He has done so much work to get ready for this fight and everything was ready for him to fly out next Thursday," Moore told the Limerick Leader this Friday morning.
"I was working the fight shift at work, when an email came though at about 2am to say that the event was off," explained Moore.
"The reason given was poor ticket sales."
The cancellation has caued major travel problems for over 30 fans, who were due to fly to New York for the event.
"My brother Jamie Moore was flying out with Jamie Power next Thursday and nearly everyone on the flight was going over to see Jamie and Andy box," revealed Ken Moore.
Joining Andy Lee and Jamie Power on the March 16 event was Wayne McCullough.

Jerome O'Connell