LEE KEEN TO PROVE STEWARD HYPE RIGHT

ANDY LEE fears looking back on his career some day and muttering the immortal words: "I could have been a contender."

That quote - voted the third most famous in cinematic history by the American Film Institute - was coined by Marlon Brando in On The Waterfront.

But while Brando told the tale of an ex-boxer, Terry Malloy, falling on hard times after taking a dive in a make-or-break fight, Lee's story is thankfully free of corruption, if not frustration.

The Limerick-man is 25 now - yet neither the game, nor his manager, Emmanuel Steward, has done him many favours.

Hyped by Steward two years ago as boxing's answer to Tiger Woods, the famous Detroit trainer has gone noticeably quiet in the last six months, fuelling speculation that a split was imminent.

Yet so far, it hasn't happened. Nor, for that matter, has Lee's rise to the top.

Instead, Boxrec rate him the 24th best middleweight in the world, and a world title shot, which Steward believed was inevitable, seems a long way off.

Still, Lee appears to be back on the right path now and this Saturday he returns to his home town to fight Frenchman Affif Belghecham in what, effectively, is a European middleweight championship quarter-final.

Lee said: "I only wish professional boxing was so structured that we could definitely say I was two victories away from a European title shot.

"But the reality is the pro game is not as professional as the amateurs.

"When I was in the Irish Olympic team, I had the best support-network imaginable.

"My whole year was planned and mapped out for me. But in the pro game, I am more or less on my own."

Logic

Initially, this was far from problematic, especially when Steward proclaimed his protégé would dominate the middleweight division with as much style as Muhammad Ali did in the heavyweights.

You wonder about the logic of that hype now, especially when Steward was nowhere to be seen at Lee's last Press conference, as the boxer showed clear signs of worry in his body language, if not his words.

Lee said: "When I was younger, I bought into what Manny was telling people. I was excited by the whole experience and my eyes were wide open to all that was going on.

"But I can see now that it was beneficial also for him to promote his fighter.

"I won't criticise him, though, because he still believes in me and he too is frustrated by the way things have gone even if he feels it will all turn out well in the end.

"We both would have expected and liked to have won a world title by now, but look, it will be given to me when I am ready to receive it.

"Had a major fight come to me earlier than now, I probably wouldn't have been able to handle it, not just the fight but also the success or failure. So this hardship, this frustration, will stand to me when I do get my opportunity."

That opportunity, though, will probably be tied into what rival middleweights Matthew Macklin and John Duddy do next because should either win a world title, then an All-Ireland showdown is on the cards.

Or worse case scenario, Macklin's ascent to the world crown will free up his European belt for Lee to challenge for.

Lee said: "I'd love the chance to fight either Matthew or John but it won't be like the Benn-Eubank-Watson trilogy in terms of spite because it'll be hard to badmouth either of those two guys.

"So hopefully, those fights will sell themselves because I don't think it is in any of our natures to abuse each other."

Developing

Inside the ring, though, Lee is perfectly capable of transforming himself from gentleman orator into a savage beast who has few qualms about inflicting pain on his opponent.

So far, 14 of his fights were stopped inside the distance with only one, Brian Vera, returning fire with enough power to record a surprise win.

Lee said: "I overlooked Vera, didn't go into that fight 100 per cent. It was a harsh lesson to learn in a nationally-televised event. I should have done my learning away from the cameras when I was still developing.

"But that's pro boxing. Defeat stays with you because you don't fight that often.

"It's like Manchester United losing a game on a Saturday and then getting a chance on a Wednesday to rectify it. Wayne Rooney could have a terrible performance one day but within a week could score a hat-trick.

"Boxing isn't like that. Defeats stay with you and haunt you.

"That is how it is with me and Brian Vera. I know exactly what went wrong in that fight. I can look back now and see I made mistakes."

Against Belghecham, the aim is to make fewer mistakes and use a reach which has enough leverage to threaten the Frenchman's corner-men.

Should he win, the volume of talk about Macklin and world titles will increase.

Lee said: "I am kind of in that stage where I am no longer a prospect but yet to be a real contender. I am still learning my trade."

Appropriately enough then, the University of Limerick is the venue for his latest lesson.

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