Limerick's Olympic middleweight Andy Lee, Ireland’s only qualified Olympic boxer, reached the final of the EU Champioships in Madrid this evening.
In the semi-final he defeated Robert Gniot of Poland 18-6. Gniot is also an Olympic qualified boxer.
In the final on Sunday he will face Marian Simion of Romania, a highly rated fighter who will also compete in the 75 kg (Middleweight) division in Athens. Simion has won Olympic, World and European medals in the past and will present a stiff challange for Lee.
Lee has made an impressive return to action at the EU Tournament in Madrid, looking sharp in each bout. On Sunday he defeated Serdan Ustuner of Turkey 26-16, an impressive victory as the Turk was a former World Junior Champion and is Olympic qualified. On Wednesday June 23 he defeated Robert Noge of Germany in the second round on the 20-point rule.
Lee has not fought since winning bronze at the European Championships in Croatia in February. Between now and the Olympics he will be concentrating on quality training camps.
Filed by Barry J Whyte
