Lee targets title fight within next 12 months

WHEN Matthew Macklin challenges Sergio Martinez for his WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine belts at the MSG Theatre in New York on St Patrick’s Day, Andy Lee will have more than a passing interest in the fight.

The Limerick southpaw is not happy to just share the undercard on what will be a big night for Irish boxing fans in New York — he wants the opportunity to challenge the winner. In fact, Lee feels 2012 is going to be his year.

The Martinez-Macklin showdown is just one of a number of big middleweight contests scheduled for the first quarter of this year and Lee will be happy to get a shot at any one of the winners before the year is out. Apart from the Martinez-Macklin fight, which has been on the cards for some time, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr defends his WBC belt against Marco Antonio Rubio on February 4, and Daniel Geale defends his IBF crown against a yet to be named opponent on March 7.

The fact Lee is pencilled in to fight again on the March 17 extravaganza — the world title bout will be broadcast live on HBO — provides him with the springboard he hopes will land him a world title shot. To date he was won 27 of his 28 professional fights — 19 by KO — and he reversed his only defeat with a stunning victory over Brian Vera at the Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, last October.

The WBC have him ranked number six, the WBA number two, and WBO first, so he has all the credentials needed for a shot at a world title.

Last March he signed a multi-fight promotional agreement with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and made a successful debut under the DBE promotional banner in March when he stopped the previously unbeaten Scot Craig McEwan in the 10th round of a fight broadcast live on HBO from the Foxwood Casino, Connecticut. He then recorded an unanimous points victory over Alex ‘The Technician’ Bunema in Rosemount, Illinois.

The Vera fight not only banished previous demons but put the 27-year-old Limerick man into the title mix.

“I am 28 this June with nearly 30 fights under my belt,” Lee said. “I have grown as a fighter and I am now ready and prepared to challenge for and win a world title. It is every boxer’s ambition to be a world champion and I believe this is my year.”

His legendary trainer, Emanuel Steward, insists Lee is ready.

“Andy is the most prominent and visible middleweight contender resident in the US at this time,” he said. “It makes good sporting and business sense for the television executives, promoters and sanctioning bodies to stage an Andy Lee world title fight in 2012.”