We have a new world champion in Ireland...
Unless you have been living under a significantly-sized rock for the last couple of days, you will have heard that Andy Lee was crowned WBO middleweight champion on Saturday night.
Lee proved many doubters wrong in his win over the previously undefeated Russian Matt Korobov.
30-year-old Andy Lee was behind on all three judges’ scorecards (50-45) when he connected with a right hook in an exchange in the sixth round and visibly wobbled Korobov.
Lee followed up with some devastating blows before the referee stopped the bout.
It was without doubt the biggest fight of Lee’s career and it was great to see the Limerick man prove his doubters wrong. Before his win, some of the public and pundits alike were writing Lee off and claiming that he was entering the twilight years of his career, saying that his career would be on a downward trajectory from here on in.
Lee himself had spoken of how a defeat would have pushed him closer to retirement so he had plenty at stake coming into the bout.
With that in mind, facing the tough Russian was somewhat of a risk for Lee as Korobov is a class boxer and a two-time amateur world champion with 14 knockout victories in his last 24 fights.
While it can’t be denied Lee was under the cosh for much of the fight, he kept his wits and he was rewarded with the win.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBd9NfSxiC4
Video via HBOSports.
Lee will now arrive back in Ireland with the WBO middleweight belt around his waist and the promise of some lucrative title defences ahead.
It was great to see Lee hold the tricolour over his head in the ring following the fight and we’re hoping it is a regular sight for us here in JOE from now on.
He knows there are tougher tests ahead but this has been a huge step in the right direction for the Limerick native and Lee has ignited his career with this win...
Get your Mooju back with great tasting chocolate and strawberry milk…
