BROADWAY BOXING GETS MAJOR BOOST WORLD-RATED “IRISH” ANDY LEE MOVED INTO MAIN EVENT SLOT
As already announced, the fast-rising undefeated middleweight Lamar Russ (12-0, 7KO’s), fellow undefeated middleweight prospect Delen Parsley (10-0, 3KO’s) and heavyweight contender Tor Hamer (19-2, 12KO’s) will appear on the card. All three bouts are scheduled for eight rounds.
The bout against Cunningham will be the former Olympian Lee’s second since his defeat to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in his first crack at the middleweight world championship last summer. In the fight versus Chavez, Lee got off to a great start and was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards before being stopped on his feet in the seventh frame.
After the defeat, Lee suffered another huge loss, when his longtime trainer and mentor Emanuel Steward suddenly passed away on October 25, 2012, after his short battle with diverticulitis and colon cancer. It was a hard few months for the 28-year-old Lee, but he has since regrouped, moving his camp to the U.K. to train under the watchful eye of Adam Booth. Lee got back into the winning column with a 10-round decision over Anthony Fitzgerald (13-3) on February 9,in Ireland, and now has his sites set on moving himself back into title contention, but he must first get by the durable Cunningham.
“I’m very much looking forward to this fight. Having lived in New York for two years, I know first hand what a great fight town it is. The New York fight fans are a very knowledgeable crowd and I intend on putting on a first class performance for them. I want to thank my promoter Lou DiBella for giving me this chance to showcase my skills as I look to rebuild myself into title contention”
A complete list of the card, including opponents for Russ, Parsley and Hamer will be announced tomorrow.