Limerick Homecoming For Andy Lee

On November 14th Andy Lee returns home to his native Limerick, for the first time since July 2008, with Frenchman Affif Belghecham the opponent of choice. A crack at European middleweight title holder Matthew Macklin would be a natural for the fans and with Belghecham holding the lesser EU title, it would seem Lee is being prodded in that direction.
 
Speaking at a press conference in the Thomond Park stadium –home of Munster Rugby club- Lee insisted he was not looking past his relatively unknown foe. “He’s the current European Union Champion and is coming into this fight on the back of some very good wins,” Andy explained. “He’s never been stopped so it could be a tough night but I’m really looking forward to it.”
 
It’s true that Belghecham has never been halted but then again the 35 year-old has never fought in particularly strong class either. Despite winning the French middleweight crown over former European title challenger Francois Bastient and forcing Woulid Garras to surrender in an EU bout, he has competed on away soil only once before – and that was in Algeria.
 
Lee’s last hometown headliner saw American Willie Gibbs pummelled to defeat in the dying seconds of a ten-rounder. Lee was cut and had been given plenty to think about, yet showed heart to carry the fight to his man, before Gibbs’ corner threw in the towel. Lee continues, “Even the week building up to a fight in Limerick is special because everyone’s wishing you luck and coming up to say hello and it’s great to have that kind of support. Then on the night you can pick out so many people in the crowd that you know and it really gives you that extra push.”
Promoter Brian Peters is running the show labelled “Yanjing Beer Fight Night” and Ireland’s No.1 admitted he was interested in bringing either John Duddy or Brian Vera to the University Sports Arena, yet neither showed much interest. Assuming Lee claims victory, which I predict he will, there is certainly expected to be a bigger test for the 25 year-old in his next fight.
Submitted by Steve Wellings on 18 October, 2009 - 13:17