Boxing: Devastating Lee takes first step

ANDY LEE took his first step towards Olympic qualification with a fourth round victory over up-and-coming Patrick Murray from the St Matthews club in Ballyfermot to retain his middleweight title at the Star National senior boxing championships finals at the Stadium last night.

And Henry Coyle from Mayo sensationally stripped James Moore of his welterweight title. Coyle was never behind in a close contest that had the participants tied until the final round before edging clear in a thrilling fourth round to deprive the Arklow man of a fourth successive title.

It was a convincing performance from Lee, the 20-year-old Limerick man, who did not raise the roof ­ indeed he hardly rose a sweat ­ en route to his second title but it came as no surprise when the Dubliner failed to leave his corner when the bell rang for the fourth round.