Lee to return next week
22 July 2010 – Jonny Stapleton
Irish middleweight prospect Andy Lee returns to action against boxing novice Brian Cook as early as next Friday.
Its the polar opposite to the step up in class fans wanted for the former Olympian but Lee, who is being touted as a potential challenger for WBA world champion Felix Strum, has taken the fight at short notice just to keep busy.
Lee, who is mentored by legendary trainer Emanuel Steward, is focused on raising his profile Stateside in a bid to earn a coveted world title tilt.
Despite being courted by promotional super power Top Rank, however the talented Limerick pugilist is currently finding it hard to land a big fight.
As a result Lee has decided to try and master the little known Cook (3-4) in Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Oklahoma next Friday.
I’m fighting next Friday July 30 in Oklahoma against a guy named Brian Cook. A fight was mentioned some four weeks ago but only set this week. It’s short notice but I’ve been training hard in anticipation of getting a fight. Its not ideal but it will serve keep me busy until a bigger fight comes up, the likeable fighter told the Irish Mirror.
Before and after his most recent victory over Mamadou Thiam, who has since had the contents of his purse forfeited by the Boxing Union of Ireland (BUI) following an investigation into that bout, Lee was heavily linked with European champion Darren Barker.
Irish promoter Brian Peters was confident of making Lee vs Barker in the fall but another Irish middleweight contender, Matthew Macklin got in their first.
Macklin will challenge the fighter who has amateur previous with Lee on the Magnificent 7 bill on September 18. The New York based Limerick man revealed he wants a fight with the victor, which he believes will be Macklin.
I see Macklin winning that European fight. It could be a close fight but Macklin’s strength gives him the edge. I would like to fight the winner but I’m not sure of it happening so I won’t be hanging around waiting for a call. I plan to stay busy, keep fighting and eventually a big fight will happen.
