[caption id="attachment_69365" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Andy Lee may fight Felix Sturm in April."]
Andy Lee is off the St. Patrick's Day Card at Madison Square Garden and is now in line for a shot at World Boxing Association [WBA] middleweight champion Felix Sturm in Germany. That fight could happen April 13.
"It is with great regret that I have to withdraw from the March 17, St Patrick's Day Promotion at MSG Theater," Lee said in a statement released by his promoters DiBella Entertainment [DBE] in New York last Friday.
"Unfortunately due to the unavailability of a suitable world ranked opponent, Team Lee have collectively decided it is in my best career interest to pass on a fight on this occasion."
The once-beaten Limerick southpaw [27-1, 19 KOs] thanked promoter Lou DiBella and HBO, who were to broadcast his match, "for their efforts to secure a suitable opponent for me from the limited boxers available."
Lee's contest on the Celtic-themed March 17 DBE card was to be the co-feature to Matt Macklin's world title contest with Argentine Sergio Martinez. That match will go on along with other bouts featuring Irish prizefighters including light heavyweight Seanie Monaghan, heavyweight Thomas Hardwick and junior welterweight Danny McDermott.
"While it would have been a special treat for the and Irish community to see Lee showcase his skills on [March 17], Lee feels that his time for a world title opportunity is now, and while he wanted to be part of what is expected to be a spectacular event at The Garden, he now has his sights set on pursuing the fight with Sturm. Sturm has a tentative date schedule in Germany for April 13," the DBE statement said.
Sturm defended his title against Macklin in rather controversial fashion last June. He was considered the recipient of a hometown decision after being dominated by the Irishman in the 12-round contest in Cologne.
Lee, the number one contender at 160-pounds in the World Boxing Organization [WBO], is ranked third by both the WBA and the World Boxing Council [WBC].
