Lee opts to stay amateur until 2008

Boxing news: Like any boxer worth his weight in the ring Andy Lee had to decide between fame and fortune, or honour and glory.

Like any successful amateur he had the burning desire to go professional. It's a decision many boxers are rushed into, so Lee took his time - five months - before yesterday announcing his intention to stay in the amateur ranks until the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The benefits to Irish amateur boxing are immediately apparent, but also to the Olympic hopes of the nation even this far out from Beijing. Last August Lee went to the Athens Olympics at aged 19 and as Ireland's only boxing representative. He proved his potential before being stopped just short of the bronze medal bout. Any sort of natural progression would make him a real medal contender for Beijing.

Since Athens he's turn 20, and, as he says, has been "consumed" by the two roads that had opened up in front of him: the fast lane with the bright lights of professionalism, or the slower and somewhat duller amateur route. Calling him one way was the famed American promoter Emanuel Steward, and the other way was the Irish Sports Council. In the end the home team won.

But it wasn't a straightforward deal. The Sports Council put together a lucrative package unprecedented in Irish amateur sport, which guarantees Lee a world class-three training grant until 2008 (€19,500 a year), additional funds for living expenses and whatever educational opportunities he wants to pursue. For the first time a medal bonus has also been added should he deliver at European, World or Olympic level.

At a press conference at the National Stadium in Dublin he explained the reasons behind his decision: "I really took my time on this, because I was looking at two very good offers, the amateur one and the professional one. But I know this was the best one for me, for my career and my life at the moment. I've got a very good set up here, working with some top class coaches, and I know I'll progress further as a boxer, and that I will still be doing the business in four years' time. So I can't fail really."

The only thing that was going to tempt him into the professional ranks was Steward, who spoke at length with Lee last month in Las Vegas, and was eager to get him to join his Kronk Gym in Detroit. But ultimately the Limerick native was drawn back to his amateur rank - spurred on by some unfinished business.

"Well it is big commitment, but so was going professional. If I'd gone the other way though my whole life would have been changed, so I had to weight two main things, how it would affect my life personally, and also how I would best develop as a boxer. I believe by staying amateur I win on both.

"In four years' time I know I will be developed a lot more both mentally and physically, and of course the professional option should still be there for me. It was a big decision, but I weighed it all up, and I've put a lot of thought into it. It's been the only thing on my mind for the last three or four months. I've been consumed with it."

So Lee finds himself in the rare position of being a sportsman turning down the big money: "Well I'm totally happy with my decision, and I'm looking forward to just getting the head down and working hard. Obviously there was talking about large amounts of money to go professional, and the chance to become a professional world champion. That's still one the thing I want to achieve. But the bigger thing right now is to be an Olympic medallist. Maybe even the gold medallist."

There was, however, a slight tinge of regret at having to postpone the opportunity to work with Steward: "Yeah, the chance to work with him is not easily turned down. It was the only professional offer I considered. I've watched him since I was a child and read up on all his boxers, and followed them.

But in four years' time that should be still open to me. But my Olympic dream would have been over. And I know I left a lot at the last Olympics. It's brings a bad taste to my mouth right now even when I think about it. So if I don't go back and better that I'll always be remembered as the guy who came close at the Olympics. So to go back and win a gold medal is the only way to top that."

From the Sports Council's point of view, Lee is worth the investment. Since winning the silver medal at the World Junior Championships in Cuba in 2002, and then bronze at the Europeans just over a year ago, Lee has become the future of Irish boxing.

Assessing his value was Finbar Kirwan, the high performance manager of the Sports Council: "First of all this is the way forward for Olympic sport in Ireland, because we do have to support our best athletes. So the decision to try to keep him amateur was taken immediately after Athens.

"We came up with the package, but then we backed off, and left him to make up his own mind. It's our belief that he will peak in Beijing, but we have to step up and support him. Obviously we couldn't match the professional offer, but that will be there in 2008, and if does come out with a medal he'll be offered a lot more than he is now."