Lee’s first defence confirmed Quillin awaits in America

WBO middleweight champion of the World Andy Lee will make his first defense against “Kid Chocolate” Peter Quillin.

The deal was made on Thursday for mandatory challenger Billy Joe Saunders to step aside allowing the Limerick man to defend against the fighter that vacated and paved the way for Lee to challenge Matt Korobov for a vacant strap on December 13.

Saunders was next in line for the WBO title, but a step aside deal was trashed out and Lee will make a high profile defence against the undefeated American.

“After tens of hours of work we completed a step-aside agreement and executed it,” Lee’s promoter Lou DiBella told ESPN. “Lee versus Quillin will be for the WBO championship and Billy Joe Saunders gets the next shot.

“That’s part of the deal. It’s possible Saunders could be on the undercard of Lee-Quillin, but he will get an interim fight regardless, possibly in the States. The date, venue and television network will be forthcoming.”

Although it’s yet to be officially confirmed the bout looks set to take place on April 11 on NBC and will be a co-feature bout with the much-anticipated Danny Garcia versus Lamont Peterson clash.

New York’s Quillin won the belt in October 2012  with victory over the Gary Hyde managed Hassan N’Dam and made three title defenses before vacating.