By Shaun Brown
It is fair to say the relationship that Andy Lee has with Manny Steward ensures doors open more easily for the unbeaten contender than for those that are still knocking on the outside.
The Irish middleweight has so far had a boxing education that some fighters can only dream of. From attending some of the biggest fights Stateside, to finding himself in dressing rooms with some of boxing’s a-list ensures that his VIP card is well and truly stamped. However that’s not prevented him from taking severe knocks along the way. Staring into the abyss occasionally against Craig McEwan and more conclusively against Brian Vera, first time round, means that Lee now believes the learning curve is complete and a big title push is likely in 2012.
All of this coming from one phone call several years ago that made him say yes to Manny and no to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“It was back in 2002/2003, I was at home in Limerick and I got a call from Manny Steward,” said Lee still sounding amazed even to this day. “For him to even know my name was a big enough thrill.”
“It was a big decision obviously. All I knew back then was amateur boxing. It didn’t help when you had pundits like Mick Dowling saying I would never make it as a professional. The amateur association had outlined a four year contract for me, after the 2004 Athens Olympics that included things like sponsorships, endorsements and all the other stuff. But I wanted to keep challenging myself so I moved to Detroit.”
A city bonded with boxing as firmly as it is with Motown, the names of Hearns, Louis and Ray Robinson are fitting tributes to a once breeding ground for American boxing.
An initial period of homesickness for Lee would soon be medicated by trips to the old Kronk Gym, which closed its doors in 2006. A place steeped in legend not only for the names that have trained there but also for the conditions they had to endure.
“The old Kronk Gym was something else. It was in a basement and the heat and humidity was unbelievable. You be standing on the sidelines, doing nothing, literally sweating. But it wasn’t much of a gym; you had a floor ring and one bag. But there were always five or six guys just waiting to kick your ass.”
“There’s a big emphasis from the Kronk to go in and knock your opponent out which I always like going for. During fights I’d go back to the corner and Manny would tell me to ‘Pick it up this round’ which is basically code for put the guy away. And pretty much 100% of the time I’ll KO the guy, which is strange because as an amateur I knocked nobody out.”
“Detroit ain’t got the best reputation but the people have been nothing but nice to me. I’ve been very lucky to have Manny with me. We’ve both been raised in pretty much the same way. I still live in his house and have become very good friends with his nephew (Javan) ‘Sugar’ Hill.”
A family-like operation has provided the foundations for Lee’s professional career. A stable girlfriend (Maud) along with the company from one of his brothers (Roger) and his friendship with Hill enabled him to have rocks of support when his career had an unexpected crash against Brian Vera.
It seems like these days a potential champion has to embark on a rite of passage that sends them plummeting back to earth before their star has a chance to shine.
“In the first Vera fight I was young and going into the fight I thought I had nothing to do but knock him out. I knew he was tough, not good technically, head in the air. He ended up getting me into a tough fight. I kept thinking ‘He’s not supposed to hit me’ and we ended up having this macho brawl. It was a devastating loss, it was meant to be my coming out party,” Lee explained
“I had all these plans for after the fight to celebrate, it was crazy. In the end I got a car and took me and Maud to New York. It felt like there was a black cloud hanging over me for months. The loss was everywhere for me, I’d be shadow boxing or I’d be lying in bed at night thinking about it. I ended up getting a satisfying victory in the rematch and it taught me to appreciate the game more.”
2011 could have ended with a fourth outing for Lee on the undercard of Wladimir Klitschko’s next defence against Jean-Marc Mormeck in Dusseldorf this Saturday. And whilst Lee welcomed the opportunity to train with him at the luxurious surroundings of the Stanglwirt hotel in Austria, he did not entertain the possibility of a six rounder on that show.
Rest doesn’t turn to rust for Lee. He continues to stay busy in the gym, keeping fit, before the chance to pile on a few pounds when he returns home to Ireland for Christmas. Safe in the knowledge that between now and the turn of the year a yuletide gift from promoter Lou Di Bella in the shape of a career defining fight is not far away.
The middleweight division is bubbling nicely and 2012 might be its own breakthrough year with a host of money spinning, title and unification fights waiting to be made. Lee took some time to talk about some of his potential opponents for next year.
Sergio Martinez: “I think he’s a combination of being good but also over hyped. People do seem to have turned him into a monster. I’ve always said that good basic boxing skills will give him trouble. Darren Barker gave him that with straight punches and kept it simple. My style would be awkward for him. No doubt he’s the best middleweight out there just now; he’s got very fast hands and likes to draw people in. He lulls them in and exposes them. He wouldn’t do that to me though.”
Felix Sturm: “He hasn’t been that impressive lately. He had a long lay-off due to contract problems but he’s his own promoter now which can bring its own set of problems. He didn’t give [Matthew] Macklin a lot of respect when they fought. And because he never leaves Germany it’s always going to be difficult to get a decision over there. Perhaps he’s seen better days.”
Martin Murray: “I hope he wins the fight against Sturm, it’d be nice for the division to be shaken up. He has a very good chance in the fight against Sturm. He’s young, hungry, and strong but guys like Sturm see guys like Murray as an easy defence, they’re picked for a reason – to look good. Anything can happen but I’ll be cheering him on.”
Daniel Geale: “In the [Sebastian] Sylvester fight he had the right style to beat him and he fought hard but he also trains very hard. He deserved the victory of course but perhaps of all the champions he might be the weakest. You still have to respect him though. I did get an offer to fight him in America on Showtime on New Year’s Eve but for whatever reason it never worked out.”
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr: “I think he’s improving. Since the John Duddy fight he’s grown in confidence. He now acts like a fighter and reacts like a fighter. But he’s been protected his entire career. Top Rank have some of the best matchmakers out there and have done a great job in that sense, saying that he shouldn’t even be a champion.”
Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam: “I fought him in the Olympics. I lost on a count back at 27-27. I’ve seen a few of his professional fights, he’s very athletic and he did hit pretty hard in the amateurs. And it would be interesting to fight him again to see how we’ve both progressed since that day.”
Matthew Macklin: “We’ve known each other a few years now. If one of us did fight I think it would have to be for a title or if we’d both come off a loss for a title. There’s always been talk back home of me, Macklin and Barker being around each other and fighting. If Barker wins a title then no doubt a defence against me or Macklin makes perfect sense. I’d take a Macklin fight first over a Martinez fight – money talks. On the night and on paper it’s an easier fight to make and it brings more money. Manny was more pissed off than I was when Macklin got his title shot!”
Darren Barker: “He showed he belongs at this level when he fought Martinez but in saying that he still got knocked out. He should’ve pushed a little bit more. He got Martinez on the right night and if he’d just went for it more he could’ve done it.”
Gennady Golovkin, Dmitry Pirog and Peter Quillin: “All three are very good, especially Golovkin and Pirog. I’ve kept an eye on Golovkin’s career, since he beat me in the amateurs, and he’s been really impressive. He’s definitely one to watch. I’ve managed to get a good look at him. We’ve met each other and shook hands a few times so that could be one for the future. Pirog is a very good fighter. I told Manny he was gonna beat Daniel Jacobs before he eventually did! Quillin still has some work to do. He got a good victory last time out but Craig (McEwan) didn’t look too good, a tough loss for him but a brave fight for him to take.”
And as for Andy Lee himself, he’s as ready as he will ever be.
“I’ve established myself as a contender now. I’m in prime position for big things to happen in 2012. I’m 28 in June, in my physical prime, now is the time for a push.”
Twitter @shaun_brown
