NO EXCUSES FOR ANDY LEE AS HE READIES FOR JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ, JR.

Press Release: Andy Lee (28-1 with 20 KOs) is in his final week of preparationss to challenge unbeaten middleweight titlist Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (45-0-1, 31 KO's) for the WBC belt on June 16th at the Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas. The 6'2'' Kronk fighter has just completed a ten-week training camp and has been trading punches at the Detroit Kronk Gym with aggressive sparring partners such as Mike Jimenez, Adonis Stevenson, Edwin Rodriguez, Don George and Bryan Vera. Lee says he is in the best shape of his life and in a positive and confident mood with only two things on his mind going into this fight: winning and winning impressively.

Lee's manager and trainer, Emanuel Steward, commented, "Preparations for the fight could not have been any better; Andy is a very disciplined and determined fighter and he is physically and mentally prepared for the biggest fight of his career to date.
"We have prepared for every possible scenario in the fight against a young, strong and resolute undefeated champion. However Chavez Jr. has never fought a fighter like Andy Lee and the champion is going to realize that on fight night."

"At the age of 28, Andy is in the prime of his life. He is a big middleweight, a southpaw, has vast experience, as an amateur and professional, can box on the outside and fight at close quarters and has the power to take a fighter out with either hand.
"Andy's time has arrived, he has trained his entire life for this moment... [he] is a fighter on a mission and with the frame of mind he has had in the gym during camp I believe he can knock Chavez Jr. out."

Assistant Kronk coaches Javan "Sugar" Hill and Roger Lee have been supporting Emanuel Steward prepare Lee for the fight and there is a great team spirit and camaraderie in the camp.
The Irishman realizes he will be fighting Chavez Jr. in front of a strong Mexican partisan crowd in El Paso, estimated to be over 40,000, next door to Mexico. But he also realizes that there will only be two fighters in the ring and when Lee unleashes one of his strong, devastating right hooks or straight left power shots, the whole of Mexico will not be able to help the champion.

Team Lee believes Chavez Jr. has all the stress and pressure of the world on his shoulders coming into the fight. In recent fights, the champion has struggled to make weight and in this fight he has to step up in class to box a strong rangy southpaw for the first time. Furthermore, Lee is taller than Chavez Jr. and the champion will not be able to utilize his height and weight advantages that he used in title defenses with fighters like Rubio and Manfredo Jr.

Lee is no stranger to fighting away from home with only seven of his 29 fights taking place in Ireland. He has established himself as an Irish Kronk fighter in America from his pro debut at the Joe Louis Arena, Detroit on March 10, 2006.

Lee was a 2004 Athens Olympian and 2002 World Junior Silver Medalist. He travelled the world as an amateur to compete in numerous multi-nation tournaments and championships.

The Irishman has learned his trade from mentor Emanuel Steward at the world renowned Detroit Kronk Gym and at the training camps of world champions such as Wladimir Klitschko, Miguel Cotto and Jermain Taylor. He has fought in major events on HBO Boxing, headlined his own shows in Ireland and in the United States.

"I am not going to El Paso to make up the numbers on the card; believe me this is the pinnacle of a lifetime's work and the opportunity is not going to pass me by. I'm going to win the title.
 
This is the first time since Oscar De La Hoya beat Patrick Charpentier by TKO in round three on June 13, 1998, that a major bout has been staged in the venue. City officials are hoping the sporting festival weekend will promote the city and reap an economic return in the future.
 
Team Lee and the Irish fans are looking forward to arriving in El Paso and being part of the occasion and enjoying the carnival atmosphere.