BOXING NEWSANDY LEE had planned to arrive triumphantly in Shannon yesterday morning, fresh off a victory in his first nationally-televised US main event. Instead, the Limerick man found himself in New York, licking his wounds in the wake of a seventh-round TKO loss at the hands of Texan Brian Vera at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.
Friday night's upset marked the first loss of Lee's professional career, and left in tatters plans for a June bout against Mexican contender Marco Rubio, as well as a hoped-for challenge to middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik later in the year.
In his 15 previous professional bouts, Lee's ability to think on his feet and adjust accordingly had been a major strength, but Friday night he appeared to be drawn into Vera's trap, willingly engaging in a toe-to-toe slugfest for which he was ill-suited.
"I made a lot of stupid mistakes that led to my downfall," admitted a disappointed Lee (23).
Vera had been considered an ideal opponent for Lee. Not particularly shifty, the Texan's straight-on style figured to make him a ready target for Lee's slick combinations. What no one seemed to have anticipated was Vera's unexpected resilience.
Lee had hurt Vera with a left hand in the first round and then pounced on his still-reeling opponent to score a knockdown seconds later. But any hope of an early conclusion disappeared a round later when the Texan rocked him with a right hand.
Despite taking some punishment, after six completed rounds Lee held a commanding lead on all three scorecards. Even though Lee had won the sixth on two scorecards, notice had been served in that stanza that the bout was about to turn into a brawl.
"It was almost like I didn't know what I was doing in there," said Lee. "I'd catch him clean, but then I'd leave my chin sticking out there for him to hit me."
"Andy was having too much fun fighting instead of boxing," said trainer Emanuel Steward. Lee's failure to defend himself was such that few could have faulted Tony Chiarantano had he intervened earlier in the round, but, by waiting until he did, the referee left himself open to criticism. Lee had just responded with a solid right-left combination, but when Vera connected with one more punch, a left, Chiarantano jumped between the combatants and took Lee into protective custody at 2:17 of the seventh.
"What happened, happened," sighed Lee. "Fair play to Brian. He came to fight and he did what he had to do. I'm just hopeful that they're able to put together a rematch."
Birmingham born Irish middleweight Matthew Macklin scored an impressive points decision over former world champion Luis Campas at the National Stadium in Dublin on Saturday night. The 25-year-old, an ex-Tipperary underage hurler, registered his 21st win from 23 outings after being handed a 98-95 verdict by referee Emile Tiedt at the end of ten entertaining rounds.
