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

Andy Lee has Irish rival John Duddy in his sights

ANDY Lee has thrown down the gauntlet to fellow Irish middleweight boxer John Duddy.
On Friday night in the United States Limerick’s pro boxer brought his record to 19 wins from 20 fights when knocking out Anthony Shuler in the eighth round.
Now the Castleconnell southpaw has his sights set on an all-Irish clash.


“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,” said Andy Lee after his latest career win in the Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Indiana.
The fight is being proposed for Limerick’s University Arena on November 28.
Top Irish promoter Brian Peters is hoping to entice the duo to what would be a sell-out fight in UL.
“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,” 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 although there is a lot of serious talking still to be done,” explained Peters.
However any deal must wait until after October 10 when Duddy fights on a Top Rank Card in New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Another option for Andy Lee is another potential all-Irish clash against Matthew Macklin. 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 Lee is due back in Limerick this week.
In the last 12 months, the Limerick southpaw has been quietly working under the radar picking up valuable experience in the gym.
Following four outings in Germany, Ireland and US he is currently ranked as high as third in the European Boxing Association (EBA) and 14th in the World Boxing Association (WBA) rankings.

JEROME O’CONNELL

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