ANDY Lee would like to do something special on his special night for Ireland’s special lady and Irish fight fans.

The Limerick man is keen to get Katie Taylor on the undercard of his Thomond Park hosted WBO middleweight title defence on September 19.

Lee, who is rumoured to have taken a cut in money so can fulfill a life long dream and give back to his home City and boxing in Ireland by fighting Billy Joe Saunders in Limerick rather than London, would like to give the Olympic Champion the chance to show her skills in front of 33,000 people.

The 31 year old World champ claims it is a a way to say thank you to the greatest female fighter on the planet for all she has done for Ireland and an opportunity for a full house to witness the skills of Irish sporting legend ringside.

“I’d like to have Katie Taylor there. I’m very proud of what she’s done and the whole country is too,” Lee said when asked about the undercard.

“This is a one-off special fight and it’s in Thomond Park. It’s a one-off event and it would be nice to have Katie as part of it to celebrate her in Ireland.

“Katie Taylor has transcended the boxing World in Sport in Ireland she has crossed over. She is not just a boxer she is a household name. Katie has done more for female boxing than anybody has. She has fought all over the World and won all over the World but people don’t get to see her fight at home. This is a chance for me to put her on a stage at home in front of 30,000 people and people can appreciate Katie. It is a little way to say thank you for what she has done for the country of Ireland.”

Talks to get the fighter, who has won 18 major tournament gold representing Ireland, on the card are already under way, but Lee’s trainer and co promoter of the event Adam Booth reveals a number of hurdles still have to be jumped.

 “I’ve had communication with her dad, with the IABA — the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, and I’ve communication with AIBA — the Amateur International Boxing Association. I’ve had good conversations with them but there are still a few hurdles to cross.

“It’s about the amateur and pro thing. We know all the problems that need to be resolved and we’ll see if we can. The talks are not yet positive or negative, we’re just fact-finding at the moment and talks continue.”

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