Money may lure Andy Lee title fight to London

Talks about Andy Lee’s summer world title defence will begin this week after the World Boxing Organisation today sent out letters instructing all parties to get the ball rolling on his mandatory challenge from Billy Joe Saunders.

Lee is still waiting to make the first defence of his belt after the weekend’s clash with Peter Quillin became a non-title fight when the American failed to make the 160lb middleweight limit at Friday’s weigh-in.

It meant that the southpaw from Limerick would have retained his title with any result in New York, although the draw that he battled valiantly for would have been enough to do so anyway.

Now attentions turn to the summer when Lee must face the undefeated No.1 contender Saunders, who agreed to step aside in order for the Quillin fight to take place in the first place.

But the two sides will likely clash on exactly where the fight will be held with the champion Lee keen to fight on Irish soil while Saunders’ promoter, Frank Warren, thinks it will make more money in London.

Warren said: “I expect the fight to go where it makes the most money for the boxers. Ireland would be a big one but in England it would be really huge.

“You would generate more money on the gate in England because of the difference between the euro and the pound at the moment.

“I’d be really disappointed if it did less than 30,000 in an outdoor venue and if you take that into account, the difference between the pound and euro could be significant.

“But make no mistake, Billy will fight absolutely anywhere and he would be happy to travel. He is the challenger and ready to achieve his dream.”

Saturday’s draw at the Barclays Center also opened the door to a rematch with Quillin although Warren says that will now only happen if Lee vacates his title or another offer is made for Saunders to step aside once again.

He added: “I would never say we are not open to offers but at the moment that rematch will not happen – Bill is next in line.

“The WBO have written to everyone involved telling them to get this one on. We want to get everything agreed on a fight for June or July and get it announced.”

Lee became the first member of the travelling community to win a world title when he beat Matt Korobov last year and this will be the first time that two travellers have fought for a belt of such significance.

Warren added: “The two are quite friendly at the moment but they have got a lot at stake within their own community never mind the world of boxing.

“And whether it will be in England or Ireland, the community are going to turn up to watch these two go at it. It could be something really special.”