BOXING: Bob Arum and Top Rank promotions may once again put their money on Irish middleweight Andy Lee at the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas next month following his emphatic victory over Carl Cockerhan at the same venue early yesterday (Irish time).
Southpaw Lee was handed a unanimous decision against the experienced, Las Vegas-born orthodox puncher, winning 60-54, 60-54, 60-54 at the end of the scheduled six-rounder in Nevada.
Cockerhan was Lee's most experienced opponent to date, having won 12 of his 27 fights.
But ex-Olympian Lee says he was disappointed he didn't knock Cockerhan out, adding that the 32-year-old used all his experience to avoid being dropped.
"I had him rocked on a few occasions and was moving in to drop him," Lee said, "but my momentum was being constantly interrupted because he wanted to tie his boot laces, or his gum shield kept dropping out or he was receiving attention for an eye injury.
"On top of all that, he was holding me in a clinch a lot. He is a very experienced boxer and you could see that he has been around.
"But I am very pleased with my performance and it is great to get another win under my belt."
Lee, who fights out of the Kronk Gym in Detroit, had a star-studded team in his corner in renowned manager Emanuel Steward, and Kermit Cintron and Jonathan Banks.
"The advice was coming thick and fast from my corner all right, and they were letting me know in no uncertain terms if I was doing things wrong," he added.
"Last night's fight was my first under Top Rank and we have an agreement in place for them to promote another one of my fights, which could be in Las Vegas in September.
"My manager (Steward) is due to have talks with Top Rank this weekend and we may agree that they promote another few fights of mine."
Last night's victory sees Limerickman Lee, who has been allowed to add a green stripe and shamrock to the famous red-and-yellow trunks of the Kronk, maintain his impressive start to his pro career. In his four fights he has yet to drop a round.
If he fights in September in Las Vegas, it could be his last six-rounder before moving up to eight round contests, probably at Madison Square Garden in October.
