Boxing In Ireland: Thiam Vows To KO Andy Lee In Limerick

Munster’s European Rugby Cup dreams were destroyed by the strength and power of French side Biarritz at the weekend and French knockout artist Mamadou Thiam has promised to end Andy Lee’s European title aspirations via the same methods on the Yanjing Fight Night at the University Sports Arena, Limerick on May 15th.

Former European Champion and two time World title challenger Thiam is one of boxing’s biggest hitters with an incredible 43 of his 46 wins coming via KO and he plans on joining the Biarritz team in breaking the hearts of Limerick’s sports fans.

The Senegal based Parisian is supremely confident of making Lee his 44th knockout victim and says he won’t be relying on the scorecards. “Of course I am predicting a knockout, that is what I do for a living,” said Thiam.

“Some people sell cars, some people build houses, some people drive buses, I knock people out. I suppose I’m like a dentist because we both take teeth out for a living!

“It’s not a personal thing for me, I’m sure Andy Lee is a very nice guy but this is a business and a very hard business and there is no room for nice guys. Lee is a big name in Ireland but I have fought at the highest level and I know what it takes to succeed there. Lee will be a good scalp for me and put me in a position to win another European title.”

Thiam is no stranger to fighting on the road having scored wins in 6 different countries and he’s looking forward to adding Ireland to that list. “I’ve fought all over the World and I’m excited about fighting in Ireland. I heard that the scenery there is beautiful but for Andy Lee the view from the canvas wont be so pretty!”

Thiam’s manager Mirko Skoko is equally confident about his man’s chances. “I have been ringside for some of Andy’s fights in Germany before and he is a good fighter but I don’t believe he will be able to take the power.

“Mamadou is one of the biggest punchers in boxing and his record backs that up. For Mamadou it doesn’t matter if the fight is in Paris or in Lee’s home town because when his big punches land there will be no need for the judges.”

The undercard for the Yanjing Fight Night should prove equally as hard hitting with reigning World and European Champion Katie Tayor leading the supporting cast as she features in an international amateur contest.

Two Irish titles will also be on the line in Limerick as local favourite Jamie Power looks to capture the Irish Light Heavyweight title against John “The Warrior” Waldron while Dublin’s Ian Tims will put his unbeaten record on the line in an Irish Cruiserweight title decider with Michael “The Storm” Sweeney.

Two other reigning Irish Champions will feature in international contests with Irish Lightweight Champ and current European number 3 Andy Murray looking to stretch his perfect professional record to 19 straight wins while recently crowned Irish Heavyweight Champ Coleman Barrett will also be in action.

The Galway southpaw has won all but one of his 12 pro fights to date with his only defeat coming to Olympic Gold medallist and new European Champ Audley Harrison in last year’s Prizefighter final.

Limerick fight fans will also be excited by the return of Cuban heavyweight phenomenon Mike “The Rebel” Perez to Shannonside. The Cork based southpaw is unbeaten in 8 pro contests and in his last Limerick appearance the former World Junior amateur Champion needed just 41 seconds to chalk up another KO victory.

Perez’s compatriot Luis Garcia will also be out to impress against Germany’s Alexander Sipos, a former European title challenger who gave Andy Lee a very decent argument at The O2 in Dublin last March. Despite having had just 5 professional fights the 22-year-old Super Middleweight is already ranked in the world’s top 50 and has been described by many boxing insiders as a special talent and a future World Champion.

Another intriguing contest on the bill will see Mullingar’s Paddy McDonagh taking a major step up in class as he tackles former Irish Champion and Andy Lee opponent Ciaran Healy in just his third pro fight while the Limerick based Galwegian Alan Donnellan makes his professional debut in a Light Middleweight contest.

Tickets for the Yanjing Fight Night priced €30, €40, €50, €60, €75 and €100 are available from Ticketmaster (phone 0818 719 300 or visit ticketmaster.ie) or locally in Limerick from The University Sports Arena, the George Hotel and the South Court Hotel.