Lee plans to punch above weight in bid to avenge defeat by Cuba’s Herrera
Last week, the 20-year-old Limerick southpaw was on the wrong end of a controversial 16-12 computer score against the Cuban in Liverpool.
The high-tech system failed to record Lee’s three power-packed punches in the third round.
“It was also very interesting to see that three of the five judges actually gave it to me but one of the other two had come down so much in favour of Despaigne that he had to get the verdict,” Lee said.
Lee feels confident ahead of Friday’s showdown.
“There were a lot of things wrong with my preparations for last Friday night’s match in Liverpool,” he said.
“I had a bad cold all week and I just was not myself. When I got into the ring and the adrenalin was flowing I felt okay, then I began to feel listless. That’s how I felt in the fourth round but I think the crowd lifted me.”
That fourth round was spectacular as Lee produced a superb comeback but just failed to get through with the punches that might have at least tied the contest.
“He had the answer to everything but I know I can do better,” Lee said.
“This guy has been around the block a couple of times. He is 25, has two world championship bronze medals and has been to the Olympics.
“But those are the guys I need to beat if I want to win medals. Those are the guys I need to box. You have the spars at home but you need the experience against world-class boxers and he is world-class.
“I caught him with some big shots in the third round but when I asked them what the score was and they told me I was six down I could not believe it. It was disappointing. Then the crowd was behind me and pushing me on.”
He will be hoping for this type of support on Friday night when fans will have the opportunity to see the Cubans, who won everything except the super heavyweight bout against the Four Nations in Liverpool last week.
Lee added: “They are not unbeatable. Our guys should realise that. I would always respect the Cubans but I would not be inclined to overdo it. I will be going in there to win and I feel confident I can beat him.”
Karl Brabazon is another with vengeance on his mind. He will renew rivalry with Cuban welterweight Jorge Herrera Daniel, who defeated him last weekend.
Kenneth Egan will be back in action against Ismaikel Perez Perez but will have something of a mountain to climb against the Cuban light heavyweight following his 35-12 defeat.
: Light fly, Conor Ahern v Ivan Perez Prevot; Flyweight, Stuart Langley v Yumaiki Aguilar Camejo; Bantamweight, David Oliver Joyce v Oxieris Hernandez Marques; Featherweight, Eric Donovan v Argelio Hernanzez Ruiz; Lightweight: Dean Murphy v Mario Kindelan Mesa; Welterweight, Karl Brabazon v Jorge Herrera Daniel; Middleweight, Andy Lee v Yordanis Despaigne Herrera; Light Heavy, Kenneth Evan v Ismaikel Perez Perez; Heavyweight, TBA v Luis Bernardo Poms Vaillant; Super Heavy, Ian Lewinson v Liosvan Hndez Vazjarano.
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