Andy Lee is the new Irish middleweight sensation that is eyeing a showdown with champion Kelly Pavlik later this year. Lee will first have to get by a rugged foe on Friday Night Fights when he faces Brian Vera, 15-1 (9), in the 10-round main event at 9pm ET on ESPN2. The 23-year old Lee lives with and is trained by the famed Kronk gym founder Emmanuel Steward who had scouted Lee since his amateur career. BodogLife.com has Michael Katsidis as a -215 boxing betting favorite in Joel Casamayor vs Michael Katsidis Lighweight title fight on HBO Saturday.

The rangy 6’2” Lee was a highly accomplished amateur representing Ireland in the 2004 Olympics. Since turning pro in 2004 and relocating to Detroit with Steward the undefeated Lee has torn through every opponent put in front of him and has not even lost a single round as a pro. Lee is an intelligent fighter that has dynamite power in both hands that he uses well with his long 77” reach. BodogLife.com has Junior Witter as a -200 boxing betting favorite in Junior Witter vs Demetrius Hopkins Jr. welterweight fight on HBO Saturday.

Lee is a textbook styled southpaw that is versatile and can bang away on the inside with an effective body attack and sharp uppercuts. Although there is little not to like from Lee thus far, he only has marginal head movement and could be susceptible to cuts and swells. Andy has only faced a C level of competition as a pro, so it is also questionable as to how well he will do against a higher caliber contender. Despite the questions Lee is a dedicated athlete that gets top-notch training and has tremendous upside with promotional connections to Top Rank.

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