Lee lands top bill for US pro debut

ANDY LEE is relishing his professional debut as the headline act at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on February 17.

Legendary trainer Emanuel Steward, wants his new protégé to make his professional bow at the 20,000-seater stadium the home of NHL ice hockey team, the Detroit Red Wings, against an opponent to be named shortly.

Asked yesterday if making middleweight Lee headline on his debut was a big ask, Steward simply insisted: "Thomas Hearns' debut was a main event too."

Lee was back in Limerick yesterday, winding up a Christmas break with his girlfriend and family. He returned to the Kronk Gym in Detroit next Monday.

"To say I am excited would be an understatement," he said.

"Things had been going grand and then I get this news. It is just fantastic.

"You know, I often thought that ultimately I would like to top the bill on a big night but to do it in my very first contest is just unbelievable.

"I think Thomas Hearns did it and maybe someone else."

While on holidays in Limerick, he kept training to stay in decent shape for his return to Detroit.

"The training has been good, it has been different and it has been a great experience so far," he said. "I expected major changes to my style when I arrived over there but in fact there have not been that many changes at all just a few small things and I was surprised at that. But it has been a whole new challenge like starting all over again.

"He has changed little bits here and there but I feel he will gradually change my style to suit the pro game. The atmosphere in the gym is something else everyone there has a purpose in life.

"You are working with a different group in a different atmosphere."

It had been suggested that he might pursue his professional career at light heavyweight but Lee is to box at middleweight.

"In fact I have dropped three kilos, and that suits me," he said. "I now weigh 160lbs and feel strong. I have been having some good spars with the likes Alan Pryor, the junior middleweight champion, Jonathan Banks, who will probably box on the same card on February 17 and the world Under-16 amateur heavyweight champion, Isiah Thomas."

Speaking to MaxBoxing.com, Steward, who has trained Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis and the Klitschko brothers Vitali and Wladimir gave Lee high praise, comparing him to Roy Jones Jr a world champion in four different weight classes.

"I'm just as excited as when Roy Jones came out in 1988. I compare Andy to that level of talent. He's colourful, accurate, and flashier than Michael Moorer at light heavyweight," said the 61-year-old.