Battle to keep Lee in amateur ranks

THE Irish Sports Council and the Irish Amateur Boxing Association are battling to keep Andy Lee from turning professional until after the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The Limerick southpaw so impressive at the Athens Games, last month met with the legendary Emmanuel Steward and Thomas “The Hit Man” Hearns, and discussed a possible move into the pro ranks.

Lee is considering his options and has yet to make his intentions known.