February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Jay Mwamba
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Andy Lee could be one win away from a guaranteed world middleweight title shot after signing with top promoter Lou DiBella.
The proprietor of DiBella Entertainment announced in Manhattan last Wednesday that he’d added the Limerick southpaw to his stable of fighters. DiBella’s star charge is Argentine Sergio Martinez, the de facto world champion who’ll battle Sergiy Dzinziruk for the WBC 160-pound Diamond Championship at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., March 12.
Lee [24-1, 18 KOs] will tackle undefeated Scotsman Craig McEwan [19-0, 10 KOs] on the HBO-televised undercard. An impressive win in the match billed “Celtic War” could earn him a title shot at the Martinez-Dzinziruk victor. Lee holds an amateur victory over the Edinburgh native from the 2005 Four Nations tournament in Liverpool, England.
“The plan is for him to beat McEwan — [and] this is not an easy fight and I really don’t like looking past fights – but beat McEwan and if [Bryan] Vera is available possibly take that rematch,” DiBella told the Echo at a press conference to officially announce the March 12 card.
“And then at some point in 2011 to fight for the middleweight championship of the world,” the impresario added.
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Asked if that meant Lee, whose only loss is that seventh round stoppage to Vera two years ago, was possibly two wins away from a title tilt, DiBella replied:
“Possibly right to the title – we’ll see how he looks [against] McEwan [but] Vera presents an interesting alternative – I know that Andy wants to wipe that glitch off his record so that could be an opportunity.
“I’d want that fight to take place on premium cable,” he said of Lee-Vera II. “I guess on HBO – probably four to five months from now.”
DiBella said he’d been wowed by the 26-year-old Lee from the moment he laid eyes on him.
“I told Emanuel [Lee’s trainer-manager] the first time I saw him that I thought he was a special talent. I’m thrilled to be his promoter.”
Lee thanked DiBella and HBO for giving him an opportunity to showcase his skills.
“This is an opportunity to show the American public how good I am. Craig McEwan is a very good boxer and has lots of skills. I expect a hard fight [but] feel I’m ready for a world title fight,” he said.
KO QUEST
Echoing DiBella’s sentiments, Emanuel Steward said just beating McEwan would not be enough for Lee.
“He has to win impressively with a knockout because there’s no standout middleweight out there for this great champion [Sergio] Martinez,” the Hall of Fame trainer insisted. “So we’re looking for an impressive victory.”
Steward believes Lee won’t disappoint.
“I think [McEwan] is a busy amateur and Andy’s a professional fighter – I think you’ll see that. It will be like an amateur and a professional and eventually, Andy’s punching power and precision will [be] the difference,” he predicted.
SUGAR HILL
Because of a conflict of schedule, Steward won’t be in Lee’s corner on March 12. That task will fall on the trainer’s nephew and assistant Javan “Sugar Hill” Hill.
Steward will be in Las Vegas on the same night where another one of his charges, Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto, will square off with Ricardo Mayorga for the WBA junior middleweight belt.
“I’m not worried about that [although] it will still be hard not to be there,” Steward remarked. “Andy’s greatest knockout with Carl Daniels, I had to miss. I wasn’t there because I had to be with HBO.”
BRAVEHEART
McEwan, who’s sometimes advised by Scottish legend Ken Buchanan, has been flying under the radar in Hollywood, Calif., until now.
“This will be a great occasion and a great night of boxing and I’m not going to leave anything to chance,” the Scot, clad in a plaid kilt, said.
A fan of twinkle-toed greats of the “Sweet Science” such as Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali, McEwan said like his idols, his forte was movement.
“My feet are my best asset,” he pointed out, suggesting that Lee would have his work cut out trying to find him in the ring.
The 28 year-old has also never been knocked out and boasts a win over Lee conqueror Vera from 2009.
That and the fact that McEwan will have the respected Freddie Roach in his corner could translate into an intriguing fight for Lee.
SEANIE PLUS
Long Island light heavyweight Seanie Monaghan, who improved to 5-0 [4 KOs] with a third round TKO of Angel Gonzalez [2-4, 2 KOs], at BB King’s Blues Club last Wednesday, has been added to the March 12 card.
His opponent will be announced later.
DANNY BACK
Jersey City lightweight prospect Danny “Little Mac” McDermott [8-2, 3 KOs] will make his first ring appearance in almost a year when he faces Osnel Charles [6-2] in a six-rounder at Essex County College in Newark this Saturday.
Tickets for the championship night of boxing are priced at $120, $70 and $30. Call (866) 468-7619 or visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.ticketweb.com. Tickets are also available from the Global Boxing Gym [5601-5711 Tonnelle Ave. North Bergen, NJ, 07047].
Doors open at 7 pm and the first fight is at 8 pm.