Andy Lee is a fighter on a
mission as he prepares to challenge unbeaten middleweight champion
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for his WBC championship green belt on June
16 at the outdoor Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas.
The tall 6'2'' Kronk fighter has
just completed a 10 week training camp in preparation for his world
title bout and is looking in great condition and extremely sharp in
sparring. Lee has been trading punches at the Detroit Kronk Gym
with aggressive sparring partners such as Mike Jimenez, Adonis
Stevenson, Edwin Rodriguez, Don George and Brian Vera.
Lee presently ranked WBO #1, WBA
#2 and WBC #3 is in the best shape of his life and is in a positive
and confident mood with only two things on his mind going into this
fight; winning and winning impressively. He believes he has the
boxing skills and power to beat Chavez Jr. and is very focused on
the job he has to do.
Lee's legendary manager and
trainer, Emanuel Steward commented 'Preparations for the fight
could not have been any better; Andy is a very disciplined and
determined fighter and he is physically and mentally prepared for
the biggest fight of his career to date.'
'We have prepared for every
possible scenario in the fight against a young, strong and resolute
undefeated champion. However Chavez Jr. has never fought a fighter
like Andy Lee and the champion is going to realise that on fight
night.'
'At the age of
28, Andy is in the prime of his life, he is a big middleweight, a
southpaw, has vast experience as an amateur and professional, can
box on the outside and fight at close quarters and has the power to
take a fighter out with either hand.'
'Andy's time has arrived, he has
trained his entire life for this moment and he is now ready to
become the new WBC middleweight champion. Andy is a fighter on a
mission and with the frame of mind he has had in the gym during
camp I believe he can knock Chavez Jr. out.'
Assistant Kronk coaches Javan
'Sugar' Hill and Roger Lee have been supporting Emanuel Steward
prepare Lee for the fight and there is a great team spirit and
camaraderie in the camp.
The Irishman realizes he will be
fighting Chavez Jr. in front of a strong Mexican partisan crowd in
El Paso, estimated to be over 40,000, next door to Mexico. But he
also realizes that there will only be 2 fighters in the ring and
when Lee unleashes one of his strong devastating right hooks or
straight left power shots the whole of Mexico will not be able to
help the champion.
Team Lee believes Chavez Jr. has
all the stress and pressure of the world on his shoulders coming
into the fight. In recent fights the champion has struggled to make
weight and in this fight he has to step up in class to box a strong
rangy southpaw for the first time. Furthermore, Lee is taller than
Chavez Jr. and the champion will not be able to utilize his height
and weight advantages that he used in title defences with fighters
like Rubio and Manfredo Jr.
Lee is no stranger to fighting
away from home with only 7 of his 29 fights taking place in
Ireland. He has established himself as an Irish Kronk fighter in
America from his pro debut at the Joe Louis Arena, Detroit on March
10, 2006.
Lee is a fighter that came to the
United States with a strong amateur pedigree, a 2004 Athens
Olympian and 2002 World Junior Silver Medallist. He travelled the
world as an amateur to compete in numerous multi-nation tournaments
and championships.
The Irishman has learned his
trade from his mentor Emanuel Steward at the world renowned Detroit
Kronk Gym and at the training camps of world champions such as
Waldimir Klitschko, Miguel Cotto and Jermain Taylor. He has fought
in major events on HBO Boxing, headlined his own shows in Ireland
and in the United States.
The last 6 years have been a
valuable education that has moulded Andy Lee as a fighter and added
many strings to his bow. With 29 fights under his belt and
ranked in the top 3 of the 4 main sanctioning bodies, the Irishman
has never been more ready to challenge for a world title.
A relaxed and confident Lee
speaking after a tough training session commented 'I relish this
opportunity to fight for and win the WBC middleweight title; I have
never been more ready to win the title. I am totally focussed on
the fight and I'm ready to care of business come fight night.'
'I am not going to El Paso to
make up the numbers on the card; believe me this is the pinnacle of
a lifetime's work and the opportunity is not going to pass me by.
I'm going to win the title.'
'Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has been
proud champion and has kept himself busy in the last 12 months
since winning the title, but I will be too strong and have too much
ring craft for him. I will be the fighter who will leaving town as
the new champion, this is my date with destiny.'
This is the first time since
Oscar De La Hoya beat Patrick Charpentier by TKO in Round 3 on June
13, 1998 that a world boxing championship bout has been staged in
El Paso. City officials are hoping the sporting festival weekend
will promote the City and reap an economic return in the
future.
Team Lee and the Irish fans are
looking forward to arriving in El Paso and being part of the
occasion and enjoying the carnival atmosphere.
12/06/2012 18:22:56