Steward fast-tracking Limerick's Lee

Famed American trainer Emanuel Steward has boldly claimed that his Irish protigi Andy Lee will be fighting for a world title belt in 2008.

Steward, who has trained an array of world champions including Lennox Lewis and Thomas 'The Hitman' Hearns, made the prediction after watching Lee win his first professional fight on Irish soil last night.

Tall middleweight Lee outclassed Belfast's Ciaran Healy in front of an 8,000-strong crowd at Dublin's Point Depot, displaying his enviable long reach, fast hands, versatility and power.

Lee dominated the opening four rounds with Healy being retired by his corner just after the fourth following a flurry of stinging body punches from the 2004 Olympian.

It was Lee's eleventh straight victory and his eighth inside the distance as a pro. He picked his punches cleverly, hitting Healy on the counter and moving with ease as his opponent put up a game defence.

The 23-year-old's jabs were combined with some crunching left hooks, one of which had Healy desperately hoping for the bell late in the fourth. He hung on in but his corner soon threw in the towel after what was a very plucky showing from their fighter.

Speaking afterwards, Lee confirmed that he is set to fight twice in America in October before staging a much-anticipated homecoming bout in his native Limerick the following month.

Steward spoke of how highly rated the Irishman is Stateside and how his charge is honing in on a world title shot for next year. That may not be as wild a prediction as it seems as Lee has an option to fight for one of the American titles before the end of the year which would see him step up in the rankings for a crack at a world title.

Lee, who is returning today to Limerick for a short stay, is due back in the Pocono mountains in Pennsylvania to train at Jermain Taylor's training camp.

Taylor, the reigning WBC and WBO middleweight champion, is another of Steward's prized assets and could be challenged by Lee in the future. He will be fighting Kelly Pavlik in Atlantic City on September 29.