McKay posts title warning for Lee

JASON McKAY believes his experience could be decisive against Andy Lee in their Irish super middleweight title fight at the National Stadium on Saturday week.

Lee has an unblemished record from 13 fights, but this will be his first attempt at a professional title and McKay feels that could be crucial.

“Andy was a brilliant amateur,” said McKay. “But the pro game is very, very different and I believe this is the first time he’ll face a really ambitious opponent.

“With the greatest of respect to some of his previous opponents, they weren’t there to win. They were there to survive.

“I’ll be there to win and with my experience let’s see how he likes it when he’s asked some serious questions in the later rounds.”

While Lee’s early opponents may have been chosen to ease him into the pro ranks, he has tackled some durable fighters including former world champion Carl Daniels.

However, that statistic does not impress McKay: “When Carl Daniels was in his prime Andy was still in diapers,” he insisted. “He took a round longer than Stephen Haughian to beat a blown up light welterweight and Stephen’s only a welterweight himself. And Ciaran Healy only had a weeks’ notice for his fight with Lee. But I can guarantee you I’ll test him.”

McKay, from Banbridge, has 19 wins from 20 pro outings and was the last man to beat John Duddy when they met as amateurs in the Ulster championships. “I’ve been looking for a big fight like this for ages and finally it’s here,” he said.

“It’s a big chance for me. It just shows you that boxing’s a real rollercoaster. I’ve had a few disappointments this year with fights falling through but this is a chance to end the year with a bang.”

Andy Lee refuses to get drawn into a war of words with McKay.

“I’m not one for making predictions because you can say what you like but ultimately your performance in the ring should speak for itself,” he said.

“It’s a big night for me too because I’ll be fighting for the Irish title and headlining a card at home for the first time. I think it’s a great fight and hopefully another step on the ladder to where I want to get to.

“I’ve seen Jason a couple of times and he’s very solid. He does all the fundamentals very well. I think it will probably be the hardest fight of my career because I’m meeting a guy who’s in his prime.

A second Irish title fight on the undercard will see Eugene Heagney and Colin Moffett clash for the Irish bantamweight title in a rematch of a thrilling contest at the National Stadium in July. Heagney came out on top in that one taking a narrow points win but with the Irish title on the line Moffett will be even more fired up for the return.