‘Sharpshooter’ Lee fires title warning shot with debut win

KRONK boxing legend Emanuel Steward has pledged to fast-track Andy Lee towards a world middleweight title shot following an impressive professional debut at the weekend.

Former Irish Olympian Lee, aged 21, joined the paid ranks at the Joe Louis Arena on Friday night after almost a year out of the ring since quitting as an amateur. Displaying few hints of ring rustiness and even fewer signs of fatigue, the Limerick boxer swept to a unanimous points victory following six lively rounds against game opponent Anthony Cannon.

Now Steward, the trainer who has overseen the careers of 30 world champions since founding the Kronk Gym in Detroit in 1971, wants to keep the momentum going by providing Lee with a string of credible, testing opponents to steer him quickly towards the spotlight currently on reigning champion Jermain Taylor, Number 1 challenger Winky Wright and veteran Bernard Hopkins.