‘Rusty’ Lee pleased to get rounds under belt ahead of title bid

Andy Lee blamed ring-rust for his underwhelming performance against Frank Horta but is now hoping to seal a world title shot at light-middleweight before the end of the year.

Lee laboured to a majority decision over the tough Frenchman in Denmark, with one judge scoring the eight-round contest even at 76-76, while the other two gave it to Lee 77-76.

The Limerick southpaw and his trainer Adam Booth might have hoped for a more straightforward night’s work but it is worth remembering that before this fight, Lee had boxed just three rounds in the past 14 months.