good article on andy lees homecoming

theone

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=12299

Andy Lee may be the highest regarded prospect in the middleweight divisions, but he still has to play second fiddle to bigger fish. For now, at least.

Training alongside IBF Heavyweight titlist Wladimir Klitschko is nothing new for the fellow Emmanuel Steward-trained Lee, who was a primary sparring partner for the Ukrainian boxer-puncher while he prepared for his rematch with Chris Byrd. Following Ray Leonard, who used the facilities to get ready for Hector Camacho in 1996, the KRONK team invaded Palm Beach Gardens, FL's PGA National Resort and Spa for training camp.

Lee, 14-0 (11 KO), has his own agenda however, a homecoming bout with Argentinian Alejandro Gustavo Falliga on February 2. "There's great excitement there," says Lee of the first ever professional bout to take place in Limerick, Ireland. "The arena sold out in 20 minutes. It's gonna be a tough fight, but I'm ready."

For Lee, this will be his second consecutive bout in his native Ireland. In his last bout, he forced Jason McKay to remain on his stool after the sixth round in Dublin. Falliga, 14-3 (4 KO), is coming off of a majority decision loss to undefeated Luciano Leonel Cuello, in which he had Cuello down in the first and third rounds, only to taste the canvas himself in the eighth.

"He's a tough come forward kind of guy," Lee revealed of his opponent. "He throws overhand rights very strong. I've seen lots of his fights on tape, he drops a lot of his opponents. He's a tough guy and a decent boxer."

Lee has been sparring with Jonathon Banks and Aaron Pryor Jr., fellow KRONK gym mates. "It's very competitive," says Pryor Jr. of working with Andy Lee. "It's always a challenge because we've been working together so long."

Lee assures that despite the change in scenery, he has adjusted well in this training camp. "This is a good environment for any young fighter because of the competitiveness. When we're sparring, everyone wants to be the best. The crowds are coming and watching, so you don't want to give anything away. Everyday you have to be at your best. It's a comfy place and a nice environment."

Despite his preoccupations with Klitschko, Steward reserved a few moments to praise the acclaimed southpaw. "Andy Lee is probably the hottest new prospect coming up in boxing. He will be fighting once a month all the way up until he fights Kelly Pavlik. Andy Lee is the best middleweight in the world, I have no hesitation about that.

"I have no hesitation with putting him in with Kelly Pavlik. Time will prove it. He has a very extensive amateur background. Plus all of these camps with Klitschko, Banks, Jermain Taylor, Kermit Cintron, so he's picked up a lot of experience for his fights. His 15 fights don't reflect the knowledge he's got. Twenty fights, that'll be enough because he's fighting so regularly."

Lee, considerably more reticent than the loquacious Steward, agreed with Steward's confident assessments, yet opted to focus on the task at hand. "It's not for me to say, really. All I have to focus on is winning the next fight. You always want to aim to be the best. If I didn't think I could beat the best, I'd be at home doing something else."

American audiences will get a closer look at Andy Lee when he makes his ESPN headlining debut in Connecticut this March.