Middleweight Andy Lee (20-1, 14 KOs) is likely to make a return to action in Limerick on May 15. The fighter and his team are working with promoter Brian Peters, and though no contracts have been signed, a Limerick date in May is a distinct possibility.
Lee was last in action on November 14 when he defeated French fighter Affif Belghecham, and he has been in the gym in New York since January staying in shape as he awaits his next assignment.
“There is nothing set in stone, there has been talk with Brian Peters about maybe fighting in May at home but nothing signed,” Lee told IrishCentral Monday.
Lee is working with Joey Gamache and new strength and conditioning trainer Mark Stallman, and he will head to Detroit next week to work at the Kronk Gym.
“I am due to go back to Detroit next week and go back to the Kronk for a few weeks, but hopefully this fight will come off. It’s not 100% but it is close to being done,” Lee says.
A possible fight in Limerick in April was called off because it clashed with Munster's Heineken Cup match against Northampton, but May 15 could see Lee make his return to the ring, six months after his last appearance.
Should the Irish fight go ahead, Lee says it will probably he his last at home for a while as he hopes to fight more on this side of the pond. More from the New York-based Limerick man once his fight as been confirmed.
In other news, lightweight Oisin Fagan has announced his retirement from boxing, but the former Oklahoma-based fighter will stay in the sport after taking up the role of boxing development officer in the community for the Irish Amateur Boxing Association and Dublin City Council.
Fagan will work with disadvantaged kids in Dublin to help them find a positive channel to focus their energies through the sport of boxing.
Fagan retires with a record of (25-8) and does so with his head held high after memorable scraps with Paul Spadafora, Julio Cesar Chavez Junior and, more recently, Eddie Hyland. A former Irish and Oklahoma state champion, Fagan left his all in the ring every time he fought.
“I am happy with my career and I can now look forward to the next chapter of my life and hopefully I’ll be able to help kids fulfill their goals,” said Fagan about his retirement.
“I was certainly not the best boxer in the world, but I’d fight my heart out and mix it with anyone in the world, making sure they didn’t forget this Irishman in a hurry.”
Irish American lightweight Danny McDermott (8-2-1)) came up short in his attempt to win the World Boxing Foundation All-Americas lightweight title when he lost a split decision to Brian Miller (8-0-3) in an eight round contest at Schuetzen Park in North Bergen last Thursday night.
Welterweight Stephen Haughian (18-1-1) was slated to fight on a card at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York, Saturday night but his fight fell through when no opponent could be found.
Finally, Maureen Shea (13-2) hopes of putting back-to-back defeats behind her will have to be out on hold after she pulled out of her fight with on Norma Farris (3-2) at the Masonic Temple in Brooklyn this Friday because her corner team could not make the event.
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