THE words of the song might be, “Down in the old Texas town of El Paso, I fell in love with a Mexican girl”, however Andy Lee is not thinking of love this weekend. He is going to El Paso to win and not to just “make up the numbers”
Limerick’s Andy ‘Irish’ Lee (28-1, 20KO’s) is a fighter on a mission as he prepares to challenge unbeaten middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (45-0-1, 31 KO’s) for his WBC championship green belt on June 16 at the outdoor Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas.
The Kronk fighter has just completed a 10 week training camp in preparation for his World title bout and is reportedly in great condition.
Castleconnell’s Lee presently ranked WBO #1, WBA #2 and WBC #3 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.
“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.’
Lee’s manager and trainer, Emanuel Steward added “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.’
Lee knows full well that he will be fighting Chavez Jr. in front of a strong Mexican partisan crowd in El Paso, estimated to be over 40,000.
However, Lee also realizes that there will only be two fighters in the ring.
Team Lee believe 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 seven 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.
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.
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
“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.”
