World Boxing News 2010-2013

Andy Lee will face Anthony Fitzgerald on an emotional return to Ireland at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena on February 9 live on Sky Sports in Betfair’s ‘Unfinished Business’. Lee returned to the UK from America to train with Adam Booth following the death of Emanuel Steward in October and the Fitzgerald bout will be Lee’s first fight this side of the Atlantic since 2010. The 28 year old suffered a seventh-round stoppage when he challenged Julio Cesar Chavez Jr for the WBC middleweight title in June and that defeat prompted Lee to consider his options. “It is a new start for me over here,” he explained. “I was in America for a long time. I fought for a World title but it didn’t work out so I felt I needed a fresh start and for me to come back here and train with Adam has been a fresh start. “If I had stayed over there I would have stayed in the same place physically, and metaphorically in my career as well. When you fight for World titles and don’t succeed you have to ask...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Mexican retains WBC belt Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. improved his record to an astounding 46-0-1 with his 32nd stoppage to keep a firm grip on his WBC middleweight title and set up a mouth-watering defence against Sergio Martinez later in the year. The 26 year-old made a slow start to the bout, allowing the rangy Lee, 28, to take the centre of the ring and use his height and reach to arguably take the opening three rounds, although I did score the second even. Chavez was able to gain a foothold from the fourth and back Lee onto the ropes on numerous occasions which brought sustained success over the next three rounds as he clearly possessed the heavier punches of the two. The end came towards the end of the seventh when the Irishman was rocked by a one-two uppercut, followed by a sweet right hand and with Lee stumbling, referee Laurence Cole jumped in to stop the fight. The stoppage may have been a little premature for my liking, but the Me...

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. v Andy Lee ( WBC middleweight title ) Sun Bowl, Texas, USA 12x3                                                                  Chavez                                Lee              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------                  Round 1                           9                                10              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

Andy Lee v Bryan Vera (middleweight) Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, USA 10x3                                                         Lee                           Vera                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------                  Round 1                           10                               9              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ...