![]() ![]() ![]() That’s not to mention a short-lived but decorated amateur career that brought a world junior silver medal, a European bronze, three national senior titles and an Olympic Games appearance. I managed to come through all that and out the other side quite happy with what I done - I can’t ask for any more, there is nothing more I want,” said Lee.Īndy Lee departs with a record of 35 wins with (24KOs), 3 losses and one draw. “I can’t complain - I have been very fortunate. It wasn’t about me having the luxury of boxing in Limerick - we tried Thomond Park but unfortunately it didn’t happen when I got ill and there were other reasons but it was just difficult,” he recalled. ”It was just bad timing - it was the time, everyone was in hard times and there was no money going around for TV or for anyone. One of those low-points was the cancelled 2015 world title fight in Thomond Park. Things that I never spoke of and that people wouldn't really know that were going on behind the scenes - most people would have packed it in or threw their hat at it and said that’s enough but I got there in the end and it was all worthwhile.” “There were more lows than highs - trust me. It would have been a different story had I never done what I wanted to do or never reached my goal,” outlined the former St Francis Boxing Club Olympian. It’s sad that it has come to an end but it was always going to be that way when you call it a day. ![]() I am one of a very rare few who get to do what they want to do and I know I am very fortunate to have had a great career and a great life through boxing. I was very lucky to do that - who gets to live out their dreams. ”Beyond what I could have imaged with all the experiences I had. Lee turned pro in 2006 and for 13 years lived out his dream. I feel happy to have the rest and find out what I want to do and in the meantime I will be a full-time daddy and that will keep me busy,” he said of his eight month old daughter Julia. “I will take some time and I am happy taking time. Lee has coached with professional boxer Eric Donovan in recent times and works with Off The Ball on Newstalk radio, but as for his future plans he has “no idea”. It’s like being alive for your own funeral,” he laughed. ![]() ”I don’t really feel comfortable with it - it’s very nice though. “It’s been surreal,” he told LeaderSport of the acclaim. Tributes to Lee have come from across the globe. I know now that if I got a call tomorrow that it would have to be something crazy to entice me to come back - it’s not going to happen,”he said. ”It’s the right decision and I am very happy with it. In true Lee fashion, he took time over recent weeks to speak with all involved in his career before making this Tuesday evening’s public announcement. This week, Andy Lee confirmed his boxing retirement. In true Lee fashion and in the midst of the title euphoria, the Limerick man paused to pay tribute to his former coach Emanuel Steward, RIP. The KO success made the Castleconnell southpaw the first Irishman to win a world title bout in the US since 1934. “My right hook is a killer punch” beamed Andy Lee in the centre of the Chelsea arena in the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas just minutes after referee Kenny Bayless placed the WBO title belt around his waist. ![]()
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