Lee to make decision on turning pro by weekend

ANDY LEE is expected to make a decision on his boxing future in the next 48 hours.

The Limerick Olympian returns from a holiday in France later today following a week of speculation that he is about to turn professional.

Lee is to meet with the IABA’s High Performance Director, Gary Keegan, and a representative of the Irish Sports Council before the weekend.

Keegan spoke with Lee earlier this week and the Limerick man assured him that no professional forms had been signed.

That statement rekindles hopes that he will remain on in amateur ranks until the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

It had been reported that he had already joined Emanuel Steward’s Kronk Gym fortress and was scheduled to have his first pro fight on August 13 at Michigan’s Palace Arena

The 21-year-old has been singled out as a pro prospect since winning silver at the world junior championships in Cuba. He has also won bronze at the European senior championships and was Ireland’s only boxer to qualify for last year’s Olympic Games.

Since then the IABA and the Irish Sports Council have made a joint effort to retain his services up until Beijing.

He was offered an annual grant of €42,000 with a €12,000 medal bonus at either European or World championships.