Lee bows out with bronze and Olympic qualification

ANDY LEE bowed out of the European boxing championships at Pula, Croatia, last night with the promise of a place on the podium on Sunday evening when he will be awarded a bronze medal and, more importantly, his place in the Irish team for the Athens Olympics secured after a 28-17 defeat at the hands of the German middleweight, Lukas Willaschek.

While the German, a silver medallist in those championships two years ago, was the favourite going into the contest, the margin of victory at the end of four interesting if not exciting rounds hardly reflected the 19 year old Limerick man’s contribution to the contest.

But, while that knowledge will hardly atone for the disappointment of failing to make it to Sunday afternoon’s finals, Lee can be proud of his overall performance at the championships and happy that he has secured Olympic qualification.