Philippines, 28 Mar 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


THE TENACIOUS IRISH


PhilBoxing.com




In the world of prizefighting where intimidation is a norm amongst fighters to gain a psychological edge against each other- its effects nearly physical to anyone inflicted with a shade of self-doubt- Irish Andy Lee daunts you in a curios manner, with steady values of humility and self-awareness. His aura lacks the braggadocio mundane to the boxing world that he even openly acknowledges Kazakh Gennady Golovkin, a likely future Middleweight opponent, a much better fighter than himself. In this admission, his voice is completely void of the slightest hint of fear that it nerves you. For it could only be that such a man so sure of his worth and embraces his place as a fighter must have confronted and made peace with himself through his days of solace. His interviews lack the usual fanfare, the outrageous statements and outlandish predictions commonly made to hype up fights. While outside the ring he strikes you as a modest man, one fears the madness of a fighter who dares to step inside the ring against any man to confront his greatest opponent: Himself.

The undefeated Cuban American, Peter Quillin looks more versatile, an orthodox fighter, natural in his movements. Andy Lee is more basic, even traditional, right hand held out forward for measure, pawing, at times shifting it on the side that it looks odd with his lanky frame, with a wide stance stable as a mantis.

In a typical orthodox versus southpaw match-up, both fighters tactically battled the first round for foot placement, when Quillin dipped his head with his lead foot in the middle of Lee?s stance, distracting him, and followed it up with a right overhand that surprised the Irishman and knocked him down hard. It looked as if the fight could have ended there as Peter Quillin pressed further, domineering the champion Irishman backed up against the corner, but time was not on his side.

Andy Lee lost the succeeding round and got counted for another knockdown on the third. On paper, and now in reality, Peter Quillin has proved himself to be Lee?s toughest challenge in his career. He swept all five rounds in his favor and was not done yet pummeling the Irish pug hard with his right hand. A chopping punch cut him above his left eye. It looked as if the undefeated Quillin, aka Kid Chocolate, had never vacated the world title which accommodated Lee's fight with Korobov, after all as his opponent looked very much the battered contender.

It was bad place Andy Lee knew all too well. He too was down five rounds against the former Olympian and seemingly indestructible Mat Korobov, and against Julian Jackson before that. The lanky fighter from Limerick was almost out with time winding down and down in all of the judges' scorecards. Enmeshed in patterned fisticuffs, stretched to his limit, Lee used his long right hand that whip cracked the American. Peter Quillin knelt as if in praise of a higher power that had floored him for the first time in his boxing career.

After the unforgiving pressure, the gem that is Andy Lee gradually took over a lulled opponent. He disrupted his rhythm pivoting to his right after abrupt attacks, connected more with his left hand despite his wide stance, jumbled his feet when hit, with a resilience and vigour that demoralized his opponent.

In a fight that did not seem like it could get through one round, the tenacious Irish managed to a Split Draw decision. He would have won it had it not been for a controversial Knock Down call in the third round after he was caught off balance.

A day after the fight Andy Lee tweeted "Exactly 1 year ago today I fought Frank Horta on a small show in the middle of nowhere. Today, I'm world champion.... Don't ever give up!"

Sugar Ray Leonard is right.

You can't teach what you have, Andy.


Mark F. Villanueva
www.BoxingInsight.blogspot.com
Follow Mark via Twitter @Markfvillanueva


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Mark F. Villanueva.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Wild, Wild Western Conference
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Press Conference Notes: Oscar Valdez-Liam Wilson & Seniesa Estrada-Yokasta Valle Doubleheader Set for Friday
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • WEIGHTS FROM BIG TIME BOXING USA IN DETROIT
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Undefeated Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes to Attend Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson Fight Eyes Potential Showdown with Winner
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PACE to host FIDE chess tilt this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Preserving a Legacy: The Birth of the Philippine Boxing Historical Society
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Garcia vs Haney: Boxing Match or A Live Mental Break Down?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Christian Mbilli-Mark Heffron Super Middleweight Main Event & Arslanbek Makhmudov-Junior Fa Heavyweight Battle Set for May 25 at Gervais Auto Center in Shawinigan, Canada
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • MATÍAS MAKES HOMECOMING DEFENSE AGAINST PARO ON JUNE 15
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • ‘ROCKY’ HERNANDEZ RETURNS AGAINST LUGO IN MEXICO ON MAY 11
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PCAP: Cavite eyeing to bounce back
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • HALL OF FAMER ANN WOLFE TO ATTEND 2024 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Gathering of champions
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Filipinos AJ Paciones and Ador Torres Make Weight for Title Fights in Highland Boxing Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Visiting Teams All Won vs Hosts; Boston Finally Loses
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Lukas to face undefeated Jaiklom on March 30 in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Sulaiman leaves Manila with fond memories
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Montano to Fight for WBO Oriental Welterweight Title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • JOSE RAMIREZ AND VERGIL ORTIZ JR. HOST FRESNO PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Joseph Adorno-Nicholas Walters Weigh-In Results
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Oscar Valdez and Sergio Rodriguez Give Back to Local Phoenix Children Ahead of Friday's ESPN+-Streamed World Title Doubleheader
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • “Granite Chin Box Off” to launch May 11th 4-fighter, 1-night super middleweight tournament
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Starling Castillo Ready For Jesus Saracho After Linking Up With Bob Santos
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Blair "The Flair" Cobbs Joins Forces with Coach Justin Gamber
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Cutiyog sweeps Imus tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.