Steward of Kronk Gym wants Andy Lee

Despite his second round exit at the Athens Olympics, Irish middleweight Andy Lee is still very much the target of Emanuel Steward, the world-famous Detroit trainer/manager who has worked the corners of over 30 world champions.

Steward's Kronk Gym enterprise has spawned many worldwide incarnations since its beginnings in 1970, and if the 60-year-old hall of famer gets his way, Lee could be prized from the amateur ranks and inhabiting their celebrated McGraw Street gym sooner, rather than later.

Kronk Vice President Richard T. Slone has confirmed that Steward is still interested in the 20-year-old Limerick fighter.

"Emanuel has a lot of faith in Andy and obviously we'd like to groom him here in America. He's had his eye on Andy for some time now," said Slone, who looks after the majority of Kronk's ring business.

In contact since earlier this year, Lee has been unable to fulfill his promise of visiting Steward due to his busy Olympic year schedule.

"Emanuel originally saw tapes of Andy and got in touch through a mutual friend," explained 30-year-old Slone. "With the right guidance, Andy could certainly go all the way."

Slone believes Lee's tender age will not desuade him away from turning pro, in favour of a second crack at the Olympics in Beijing, in four years time.

"He suffered a bad break, losing as he did in Athens to Hassan Ndam of the Cameroon. 20 isn't too young to turn pro though - obviously that is something we would have to look at, but some great fighters have turned professional before Andy's current age.

"He's tall and fits Emanuel's style perfectly, like his previous champions Lennox Lewis and Thomas Hearns. If he turned pro here, we'd build him at the correct speed, and probably aim him at eight fights in his first year."

Six days since his Athens countback exit, the London-born fighter has a tough decision on his hands, on whether to follow Dublin featherweight Bernard Dunne Stateside, but Kronk are already making the right noises.

"Dunne is exciting - he's a good fighter and has a bright future," added Slone, "but Andy Lee is the one to watch."

Filed by Barry J Whyte