By April Drew

IRISH middleweight sensation Andy Lee, 22, is gearing up for a win in Madison Square Garden this Saturday against Denis Shapre of New Jersey. Lee will meet Sharpe on the Waldimir Klitschko/ Calvin Brock world heavyweight title fight undercard.

The 6’ 2” boxer with a perfect 5-0 took time out of his hectic training schedule in the Poconos to speak to the Irish Voice about his career to date, turning professional and his training under the legendary Emanuel Steward. Lee is considered one of the most promising fighters in America.

Lee, who was born in London but moved to Limerick city when he was 14, has been boxing since he was eight years old. “I grew up watching my brothers box. All I knew is I wanted to be like them too,” remembers Lee.

He trained for years out of St. Francis’s gym in Limerick city. Lee quickly established himself as a world rated middleweight boxer with an impressive resume.

He won several juvenile and youth titles, including a world junior silver medal and a bronze medal at the European Amateur Boxing Championships in Croatia. Lee was the only Irish boxer to qualify for the Summer Olympics in Athens in 2004.

Lee signed a five year contract with Steward, famous for training the likes of Lennox Lewis, Oscar de la Hoya and Evander Holyfield, in December last year and began his training in March.

Lee said in an interview with RTE at the time, “This is a dream come true. I am over the moon that the deal is sorted, this is the perfect Christmas gift for any boxer. I can now look forward to starting my professional career in the New Year.”

Steward also said that he was “elated the waiting was over for Andy Lee, he is capable of being a world champion the Irish people can be proud of,” he said.

Steward had been interested in Lee since 2002. He had seen a tape of Lee boxing at an international competition and immediately realized the potential of the young Irish fighter.

Steward and Lee were in contact for a few years and after his stretch in the Olympics it was decided that Lee would move to the U.S. and train under Steward at the Kronk gym in Detroit.

Lee’s opponent on Saturday, New Jersey native Shapre, with 17 wins, two losses and three draws under his belt, is by far the more experienced contender. Lee has five wins, three of which were knockouts.

Lee, however, looks forward to the challenge. “ It will be a tough fight but also a great test because this will only be my sixth fight. If I can beat a great guy like Shapre then that would be a great result for my career,” he said.

Lee’s training is going as scheduled. He has been given practical skills from the Steward camp that he has been put to good use in his last few fights.

“My training is going great. I’m in shape and I am really looking forward to fighting in such a huge venue like the Garden,” comments Lee.

On a visit to New York back in 2004, Lee went to see Felix Trinidad fight in the Garden with some friends. “I thought when I was there that I would like that to be me in that ring in a few years,” Lee remembers. “It’s exciting to be fighting at one of the world’s greatest venues.”

In Lee’s last fight in Las Vegas he took less than two minutes to drop American Jess Salwya to record the fifth victory of his pro career at the Orleans Arena. The Lee/Sharpe fight is expected to be on early.

Supporters of Lee should get to the Garden ahead of time. Doors open at 7 p.m.