Lee closing on world title shot
The Motown Maestro was responding to a quote of 5/1 for Lee to win a world title in 2008 when he said the Limerick southpaw would fight for a world title in November.
“I think he’ll get it,” he said. “I am working on a deal with Bob Aarum right now for the fight and there is a very good chance he will fight for the world title in November.
“This will be a very important fight for Andy. His opponent is about the same size as Pavlik — he is a tall, stand-up fighter — so this will be a good rehearsal for a world title fight with Kelly Pavlik.”
This all means that two Irishmen will fight for the world middleweight title this year if all the plans fall into place. John Duddy, whose career has been running parallel to Lee’s, is rostered to challenge Pavlik on June 7 at Madison Square Garden — if the unbeaten Derry man emerges intact from his scheduled meeting with Walid Schemit in three weeks’ time.
In the meantime, Pavlik has a scheduled non-title return fight with the man he dethroned, Jermaine Taylor, on February 16 and Andy Lee will be at the ringside for that showdown.
“That’s why he has been fighting once a month to be prepared and to get the experience,” Steward, who has trained 19 world champions, said. “I have a very good feeling that the world title fight is going to happen.”
With this in mind, Lee will have a fight on March 21 in the Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut, with Brian Vera (15-1) the likely opponent.. That fight will be live on ESPN across the US.
“Then, on April 10 he will box at the Palace of Arbour Hills in Detroit — an arena with a 21,000 capacity,” Steward said. “Then in May we may be right back here in Limerick.
“I am very excited about being in Limerick. To see so many of the people I have been hearing Andy talk about, the kids from the St Francis boxing club and the rest of he people of the town is very important to me.
“It is an honour to be part of Andy Lee’s continuous growth to becoming what I believe will be one of the finest fighters in history. The fact he is Irish is a big bonus but he is going to be a great fighter and I know there is a lot of people all over the world with a lot of interest in this fight in Limerick. There is a buzz and on the plane coming here there was quite a number of people from New York coming over here just to see Andy’s fight.
“Andy is getting a lot of exposure, his profile is good and he is fighting regularly. Most of all he is enjoying it and he has not changed very much. That’s one of his great commodities and selling features — everybody can relate to him. He is still a nice young lad.”
There was a big turnout at the George Hotel for the weigh-in yesterday when Lee tipped the scales at 11st 5 lb 8 ozs and Falliga at 11st 5 lbs 4 ozs.
“The excitement around the city has been fantastic,” said Lee. “Now I am looking forward to a good fight. It is going to be a hard fight. It is a great occasion and opportunity to showcase my skills in front of my home fans.”
Lee will be going for his 15th successive victory from 15 pro fights and he has never had to go beyond six rounds. Falliga has suffered three defeats in his 19 bouts since turning pro in 2004 but has never been stopped and he’s confident that his defeats have made him a better fighter.
“I’m still a young guy and you learn from your defeats,” he said. “My last defeat was in December on a split decision. I was very upset at that one because I knocked my opponent down twice and I still didn’t get the decision.”
Paul McCloskey is another with his sights on a world title fight this year and his trainer, John Breen, said yesterday that he intends to keep on target tonight when he faces Mexican danger man Manuel Garnica.
Like Lee, McCloskey is unbeaten in 14 pro outings and he is custodian of the IBF international light welterweight belt but he was the first to admit that tonight’s fight is the most important assignment of his career to date.
“I have had 14 fights and I have not had a hard fight yet,” McCloskey insisted, pointing out that Tontcho Tontchev, an Olympic silver medallist, did not test him in his last fight.
“I have watched this guy on tape and he is an awkward, rugged fighter but I know I can deal with that.”
Jason McKay, who lost out to Andy Lee on a sixth round stoppage last time around, resumes his career against Martins Kukuls (Latvia) while Ciaran Healy, who also lost to Lee, meets another Latvian, Pavel Lotah.
The newest “Rebel”, Mike Perez, the Cuban heavyweight based in Cork, will have his second pro fight against Sandor Baloghs from Hungary while Sean Mannion’s new cruiserweight, Michael Sweeney meets Remigiujus Ziausys.
Matthew Macklin, however, will not have an opponent following the withdrawal of French man Christophe Karagoz.
The programme, televised live on RTÉ is:
Middleweight 10 Rounds:
Andy Lee (Limerick) v Alejandro Gustavo Falliga (Argentina).
Light Welterweight 10 Rounds: Paul McCloskey (Belfast) v Manuel Garnica (Mexico).
Middleweight 6 Rounds: Jason McKay (Belfast) v Martins Kukuls (Latvia).
Light Middleweight 6 Rounds: Ciaran Healy v Pavel Lotah (Latvia).
Heavyweight 4 Rounds: Mike Perez (Cork) v Sandor Balogs (Hungary).
Cruiserweight 4 Rounds: Michael Sweeney (Galway) v Remigijus Ziausys (Latvia).
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