Klitschko adds hint of steel as Lee steps up training

http://www.independent.ie/sport/oth...f-steel-as-lee-steps-up-training-1261319.html

By Thomas Myler
Wednesday January 09 2008


IF there is one way to train for an upcoming fight, it is to have regular sparring sessions with the heavyweight champion of the world -- and that is precisely what Andy 'The Sharpshooter' Lee has been doing in the run-up to his bout against an as-yet-unnamed opponent at the University of Limerick on February 2.

The Limerick southpaw and 2004 Athens Olympian returned to the United States last weekend after spending Christmas with his family in Castleconnell and went straight to his Detroit base to link up with his trainer/manager Emanuel Steward.

Training camp

From there, they went to a training camp in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Lee started a three-week period working out with Vladimir 'Steelhammer' Klitschko.

The Ukrainian is preparing for the defence of his International Boxing Federation title against the unbeaten Russian southpaw, Sultan Ibragimov, at Madison Square Garden on February 23.

"Where else would you get that kind of sparring with the heavyweight champion of the world," said Lee, who has won all his 14 fights, 11 either by knock-outs, stoppages or retirements.

"He outweighs me by several stone but it's no problem. It's all great experience. I forget the sunshine of Florida because it's all the business. We have terrific sessions, believe me."

Following Lee's Limerick debut, Meath promoter Brian Peters plans to showcase him around the country, including Belfast as well as Dublin, where he impressively beat Jason McKay in six rounds for the vacant Irish supermiddleweight championship just before Christmas.

"We plan to have about eight shows this year and Andy will box on at least three of four of them," said Peters.

McKay will also feature on the University of Limerick card, though no opponent has yet been named.

McKay, known as 'Cool Hand' and who holds the Irish lightheavyweight title, is still bitterly disappointed with his loss to Lee but promises to get back on the winning track on February 2.

A good upright boxer, although lacking a heavy knockout punch, he has not had the best of fortune in the sport.

A challenge for the Irish middleweight title against Matthew Macklin last March was called off two weeks before they were due to enter the ring when Macklin received a rib injury in training.

Proposed

Several proposed bouts over the past year or so also fell through, including a match with unbeaten John Duddy, and at one stage the Craigavon man was considering hanging up his gloves for good.

However, he is now hoping his bad luck has come to an end. Trained by John Breen, one of Ireland's most experienced and respected coaches, McKay could still be a force on the Irish boxing scene.

"I aim to start 2008 with a win, and that will be a positive beginning," he said yesterday. "Don't forget that I still have the Irish lightheavyweight belt."

Matthew Macklin, who holds the Irish middleweight title, will also box on the Limerick show, against Somerset's George Katsampis.

Macklin, Birmingham-born of Roscommon and Tipperary parentage and a hurler with Ballingarry in his childhood and teenage years, had an impressive second round win over Italy's Alessio Furlan at the National Stadium in October.

Winner in 20 of his 22 fights, Macklin hopes to get a shot at Wayne 'Mad Dog' Elcock's British middleweight title in 2008. He is ranked No 4 in the current British ratings by Boxing Monthly.

Meanwhile, John Duddy has a new date for his opening fight of 2008.

He was to have boxed on the Oleg Maskaev-Samuel Peter world heavyweight title card but that bout has been postponed until March. Instead he will box at Madison Square Garden on February 23 against the American, Matt 'The Predator' Vanda.

World middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik, who has been linked with Duddy, has a return fight with Jermain Taylor in Las Vegas on February 16.

- Thomas Myler