Lee back to winning ways in Limerick

Andy Lee shrugged off the disappointment of losing his unbeaten record to Brian Vera in March by claiming a polished TKO win over highly-regarded American Willie Gibbs last night.

Gibbs, nicknamed 'The Gladiator', lost last night's middleweight contest at the University Arena, in Lee's home city of Limerick, in the 10th and final round when Lee sent him collapsing to the canvas with a fiercesome right hand.

Gibbs quickly rose and looked set to take the fight to a points decision but his corner threw in the towel after two minutes and 46 seconds of the round.

Their fighter looked out on his feet and another powerful shot from Lee could have caused Gibbs some damage - with that in mind the fight was brought to a halt.

It was really encouraging performance from Lee - certainly his best as a pro on home soil - and his control of the fight had the 4,000-capacity crowd on the edge of their seats.

The recently-turned 24-year-old showed admirable composure on a night when his pro career and world title aspirations were definitely on the line.

Gibbs is a skilled operator and certainly packs a punch, so promoter Brian Peters and trainer Emmanuel Steward were putting their charge in at the deep end.

Although he was cut on his forehead in the final round, Lee kept plugging away and got his just reward.

Speaking afterwards, he said: "That was a great fight, it was a really tough one. I told you you'd get your money's worth!

"Credit to Willie Gibbs, he certainly lived up to his 'Gladiator' nickname. It's a good win for me, particularly as it's in front of the home fans, and hopefully I can go on to bigger and better things now."

Steward, who maintains that Lee will be a world champion within 12 months, admitted that he and Peters would like to see the former Olympian back in the ring in Limerick in the autumn.

Lee's greater reach gave him a decisive advantage over Gibbs, who found it hard to connect with his punches.

That came to bear in the early rounds and in the third, there was some concern when Lee was cut over his right eye after a clash of heads.

It failed to trouble the Limerick man, after a patch-up job by his corner, although Gibbs was beginning to find his range in the fourth and put Lee's defence under pressure.

The latter's combination punches got him where he wanted to in the fifth as Gibbs backed onto the ropes and tried to fend off a flurry of attacks. Lee favoured a stiff right jab and straight lefts.

Fighting for the first time since April 2007, Gibbs showed admirable ring fitness as he kept in the hunt but his attempts to land blows on Lee became more and more ragged.

However, Gibbs drew considerable blood from Lee's head when he landed a crunching right hand to the face in the 10th round.

Still, nothing was going to stop Lee from recording a deserved victory as an energetic final minute paid dividends.