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After avenging his only professional loss by decisioning Brian Vera in a rematch earlier this month, Irish middleweight Andy Lee is likely heading for his first world title opportunity.
The lanky southpaw took time to speak with SaddoBoxing about his beginnings in the sport, trainer Emanuel Steward and many more facets of his five year pro career.
SaddoBoxing: How did you get into boxing or/and what made you start boxing?
Andy Lee: I started boxing at the Repton Boxing Club in London, England. I grew up in a boxing household with my two older brothers both boxing and after us my younger brother boxed too.
SB: What are your ambitions in boxing, and have they changed since you first turned pro?
AL: My ambition since turning pro has always been the same. Become champion of the world. I believe I’m close to achieving it; 1-3 fights away.
SB: What is it like working with the legendary trainer Emanuel Steward and how important is he to your boxing future?
AL: I’ve been with Emanuel since turning pro. I live with him and his nephew and assistant trainer Javan Hill in Detroit. Everyday with Emanuel and Javan is a learning experience. Being there in the house and in the Kronk Gym, it’s a boxing environment. There’s old guys in the gym like Lee Crenshaw, Floyd Longan and Keith Lee that have seen it all, all those great Kronk fighters over the years and they’re always there with a word of advice during sparring.
SB: Can you give me an example of what you do in your hardest training session?
AL: For preparation for the Vera fight we brought in two sparring partners Carlos Molina and Steve Rolls. Along with K9 [Cornelius Bundrage] and the fighters that are in the Kronk there was lots of hard sparring sessions. In our gym we believe sparring is key. We don’t do a lot of bag work and only work the pads in the last week or two. We spar a lot and everyone in the gym is competitive.
SB: What have you sacrificed to become the boxer you are today?
AL: I think the biggest sacrifice I’ve made is leaving home. Missing my family and girlfriend is the toughest part.
SB: who was the toughest opponent you ever faced and why?
AL: As a pro I’ve fought some tough guys, Brian Vera obviously but also guys like Alexander Sipos and early in my career I fought a tough guy named Carl Cockerham. As an amateur I fought everyone. The toughest fights I had as an amateur were probably Genney Golovkin of Kazakstan and Marion Simion of Romania. Emamon O’Kane was tough too!
SB: Andy you are currently fourth in the world and second in the European middleweight rankings. Why have you not had a world title shot to date,when the likes of Darren Barker, just as an example, who is down the rankings, are getting world title chances?
AL: I believe my chance will come in it’s own good time. I don’t want to just challenge for a title, I want to win it. I am reaching my peak now, coming into my prime. When I am ready to win the title I will get my chance.
SB: Where do you see yourself going next and who would you like your opponent to be?
AL: I would like to fight before the year is out. I’m returning to Detroit this week and will see what Emanuel has planned. I would like to fight in Ireland but I’m not sure if it’ll happen.
SB: Who is your favorite boxer of all time? Which boxer currently plying their trade at present would you most like to fight before the end of your career?
AL: My favorite fighter growing up was Roy Jones Jr, I like his skills. I also liked Winky Wright. My favorite fighter today is Wladimir Klitschko.
SB: I ask everyone that I interview this question: do you think that the Mayweather vs. Pacquioa fight will happen and if so, who will win and why?
AL: As much as I’d like to see it, I’m not sure it will happen. I think Mayweather would edge it but he would get hit more then he’s ever been thus far.
