Kronk Irish Middleweight Star, Andy Lee (27W-1L, 19KOs) is ready and available to fight World Boxing Council (WBC) World Middleweight Champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (45W- 1D, 1NC 31KOs) on June 2 or 16.
Following Chavez Jr.’s second successful defence of his WBC title against Marco Antonio Rubio in San Antonio on February 4, 2012, Team Lee, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum and HBO Boxing agreed in principle to the Chavez Jr. V Lee fight.
In the past few days Team Lee has been made aware that Team Chavez is reluctant for Chavez Jr. to face Lee due the Irishman’s southpaw style.
Team Lee strongly believes their fighter has earned his place to challenge Chavez Jr. for his WBC belt. Lee is highly ranked in the middleweight division and is currently positioned as the WBA #2 and WBO #2.
In recent months, the Kronk fighter has also been knocking on the door of other world title shots, but was bitterly disappointed when he failed to secures title challenges with WBC Diamond Champion, Sergio Martinez on March 17 and WBA Super Champion, Felix Sturm on April 13.
The Chavez Jr. v Lee fight is a war the boxing public want to see; two young fighters doing battle for the WBC middleweight title. This an opportunity for promoters and tv executives to rejuvenated the sport of boxing and showcase two exciting and entertaining young Mexican and Irish Warriors that are popular with the US television audience.
The Irishman’s last two impressive performances live on HBO made an emphatic statement that he has the skills and attributes necessary to challenge and win a world title. A barnstorming 10th round KO victory over formerly unbeaten world ranked Craig McEwan on March 12, 2011 and a boxing master class performance against the durable Brian Vera on October 1, 2011.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was born with boxing in his blood and has followed in the footsteps of his legendary father Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, six times world champion in 3 weight divisions. After only 2 amateur bouts Julio turned pro at the age of 17 on September 26, 2003 in Culiacan, Sinalao, Mexico. Since then the Mexican Warrior’s US promoter, Top Rank has astutely promoted and guided their protégé over the last 8 years to become a world champion and box office attraction at the age of 26.
Andy Lee followed a different path in boxing; he had a successful amateur career lacing up his gloves at the age of 11 to go on to win a host of Irish national titles, multination tournaments, a Silver medal in the World under 19s in 2002, a European Bronze senior medal in 2003 and was a 2004 Irish Olympian.
Since Lee’s pro debut at the famous Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on March 10, 2006, Emanuel Steward has nurtured and honed the boxing skills of his pupil and carefully chartered a pathway for his fighter to become a world title champion.
Lee commented from Detroit today “I would now relish the opportunity to fight for a world title. A title shot against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr would be a challenge I would rise to. It is every boxer’s ambition to be a world champion.
I would love to fight Julio for the WBC title on June 2 or 16, it would be a tough fight but I believe I have the skills to beat him. The Irish and Mexican people like a good fight, so let’s get it on.”
The Chavez Jr v Zbik world title bout on June 4, 2011 successfully drew 1.5 million viewers on HBO and with over 40 million people in the US of Irish descent a Chavez Jr v Lee title bout has the potential to boost these viewing figures significantly and generate substantial revenue for fighters, promoters and broadcasters.
Steward presently in Waldimir Klitschko’s Training Camp commented “Andy has established himself has an entertaining fighter in America and Europe. I think a fight between Andy and Julio would be a great fight; they are two young fighters burning with ambition and have a track record of being in exciting fights.
Andy is the most prominent and visible middleweight contender resident in the United States at this time; it makes good sporting and business sense for HBO and promoters to make the fight between Andy and Julio.”
Team Lee are confident that if Top Rank and Team Chavez are up to conclude discussions and negotiations for the fight, that a deal can be done and dusted over the next few days.
FARRELL NOW FACES STEPHEN JENNINGS ON MARCH 2ND
KIERAN FARRELL will now box Stephen Jennings when he bids for his first title later this week.
The Liverpool boxer (5-1-1) has stepped in at one week’s notice to challenge Farrell for the vacant Central Area light-welterweight title at Bury’s Castle Leisure Centre on Friday (March 2).
Double junior ABA champion Jennings replaces Jon Baguley and Farrell, 21, said: “Stephen is a better opponent than Baguley.”
Jennings, 27, hasn’t boxed since last July when he lost a thriller in six rounds against Derry Mathews – his only career defeat.
Heywood’s Farrell added: “He was a good amateur who boxed regularly for England and only his only defeat as a professional came against Derry who is top class.
“I have got a tape of that fight and I have seen Stephen spar with Johnny Kays. He is open to an upper cut and I think I can get to him.
“He is better than Baguley but I think I have more chance of getting him out of the way quicker because he will have a fight.”
Jennings manager and promoter Steve Wood said: “I would fancy Stephen strongly if he had plenty of time to prepare, but seven days’ notice makes it a 50-50 fight.”
The card is the latest in Hatton TV’s Friday fight night series that is broadcast live on You Tube and draws tens of thousands of fans from around the globe.
Other fights: Adam Little v Martin Shaw, Dean Halsall v Bobby Wood, Wayne Adaniyi v Tommy Shields, Jimmy Kelly v Moss Hamed, Craig Bunn v Billy Boyle. Callum De’Ath, Ryan Doyle and Tom Shaw box selected opponents.
Boxing starts at 7pm tickets are priced at £30 general admission and £55 ringside. You can buy by calling 01925 755 222, Ticketmaster 0844 847 2500, Ticketline 0844 888 9991, any boxer on the bill or online www.hattonboxing.com