Lee keeps US deal after shock defeat

IRISH middleweight Andy Lee has been assured his promotional deal with the Top Rank organisation remains intact following the first defeat of his professional career.

Lee, 23, suffered a shock seventh-round stoppage by Texan Brian Vera while making his US national television debut as the main event on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights card at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

The result left Lee with a 15-1 record after a night that was meant to have been the first stepping stone on a path to a world title shot with Kelly Pavlik. The Detroit-based Lee’s trainer and manager Emanuel Steward had been in negotiations with Top Rank about a major promotional deal before the fight.