Andy Lee Middleweight
Photo by Rich Schultz
“Irish” Andy Lee (34-2-0, 24 KOs) is one of those fighters you can’t help but to like and support.
He was born in Limerick, Ireland, and fights an extremely fan-friendly style, one that often sees him taking two or three punches in order to land one harder shot.
It’s more of a traditional Irish style, one which obtains straight-forward slugging, instead of cute and technical boxing.
Lee had a career-catapulting 2014 campaign, first by knocking out John Jackson in June on the undercard of Miguel Cotto vs. Sergio Martinez.
Then in December, when he took on Matt Korobov for the WBO Middleweight title, Vegas had Lee a +500 underdog going into the fight, but he connected a huge right hook on Korobov in the sixth round and eventually was able to stop him.
Steward believed in Lee more than anybody, and was not shy to open up about his beliefs that Lee would one day win a world title.
Before his title fight with Korobov, Lee told TheSweetScience.com,
“I will dedicate winning this fight to the memory of Emanuel, I will make true the praise he placed upon me.”
Lee will make the first defense of his title on April 11 against undefeated Peter Quillin, who in late 2014 vacated the same WBO title that Lee now holds, and turned down a career high $1.4 million dollar payday to avoid a fight with Korobov.
Even though Quillin is an American and the fight is taking place in Brooklyn, New York, the majority of fans will likely be rooting against him.
The ex-title holder has left a sour taste in the mouths of many boxing fans in recent years by being inactive and avoiding tough fights.
While a lot of fighters often choose to make an easier first defense after winning a world title, it’s not surprising Lee decided to jump right into a high-profile, and very difficult fight.
He’ll have to be sharp, and he’ll have to take chances in order to beat Quillin, who is a -300 favorite going into the fight, but if Lee can pull it off, he’ll once again return to Ireland a national hero.
