Boxing:Ireland's Andy Lee (28-1) will challenge Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (45-0-1) for his WBC world middleweight title on June 16th at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.
Lee’s promoter Lou DiBella, explained: “The Chavez-Lee fight is done between me and Bob Arum. We’ve agreed to everything and we are putting everything to paper. And now we’re working on the contract for the winner to face Martinez. Arum and I have had substantive conversations and I’m confident we will get that done in short order too.
Lee’s legendary trainer Emanuel Steward admitted: “I think it’s a very exciting and hard fight. Chavez has developed into a real fighter. He’s become a serious fighter. He has very high energy in the ring. He cuts off the ring very well and smothers you. He gets inside and works the body like his daddy (Julio Caesar Chavez Snr whom Steward trained for three fights in 1994) did. Him and Andy, they’re both big guys for middleweights, they’re both good punchers and they both get hit, which makes it a good fight.
The 26-year-old Mexican Chavez will be making his third defence, all of which too place in Texas. He knocked out Peter Manfredo Jr. in the fifth round in November and he scored a unanimous decision against Marco Antonio Rubio at the Alamodome in San Antonio in February.
Steward is confident that the Irishman can overcome a partisan crowd and his opponent. “I feel very good about it. I know it’s not the ideal situation for us because everything is against Andy, but I have the confidence that he has the ability to score a knockout. We know what we’re going up against with the whole situation. But this is the type of opportunity we can’t pass up."
Lee said he has no concerns about going to fight in Texas. “I’m actually looking forward to it. I like having that bunker mentality when everything is against you. We’re gonna train hard and Emanuel will have the right plan and we will go in there and get that belt.
“It’s my turn. I’ve waited a long time and it’s been a long journey. The time is right for me physically and mentally and I am just glad it’s here. I never thought I would get this fight, so it’s very hard to contain my excitement.”