Macklin: Andy Lee’s World title shot is good news all round

MATTHEW Macklin will be cheering on domestic rival Andy Lee when he fights Matt Korobov for the vacant WBO middleweight title in Las Vegas on December 13.

The three time World title challenger claims the Limerick middleweight’s second shot at a 160 pound strap isn’t just positive news for Lee, but for the sport of boxing in Ireland and indeed Macklin himself.

Macklin, who brings big time boxing back to Dunlin on November 15 when he faces Sebastian Heiland in a World title eliminator, would support any Irish fighter in a World title fight, but would have personal reasons for wanting an Irish win come December 13.

If Lee does claim the WBO belt it makes a much talked about Tipperary v Limerick middleweight clash all the more mouthwatering.

Speaking to Irish-boxing.com, Macklin said:

“I am delighted for Andy. We are both middleweights so Andy is a rival of mine, but he is an Irish man and fighting for a World title so I will be supporting him. As long as Andy isn’t against me I would always be routing for him. It is a good fight for Andy. Korobov would be the favourite going into the fight, but Andy has the capabilites to cause an upset.

“It is a great fight for Andy, a great fight for Irish boxing and potentially great for me if he wins. If Andy and I meet and it is for a World title that is all the better. So its a good thing all round.”