Limerick's Andy Lee maintained his unbeaten professional record with a comprehensive four-round victory over Ciaran Healy from Belfast in Saturday's middleweight contest at the Point Depot, writes Ed Leahy.
Fighting for the first time on home soil since turning professional, the former Olympian, who fights out of the world-famous Kronk Gym in Detroit, was never troubled as he dominated the first four rounds of the scheduled eight-round contest.
Lee knocked the wind out of Healy at the end of the fourth round with an awesome left hook to the body and Healy never showed for the fifth to hand Lee his eleventh straight victory as a pro fighter.
The Point Depot was sold out for the Bernard Dunne European title defence and the arena was virtually full by the time Lee made his way out onto the canvas, with his hip-hop music of choice announcing his arrival.
Healy received a hearty welcome from the home support and there was a sense that something special was about to happen as Lee got a hero's welcome before a punch had been thrown.
Resplendent in his Kronk Gym regalia of red with yellow trimmings, Lee pounded the canvas with his foot – as a bull would before his charge – as the fighters were introduced. He looked like a man on a mission.
The first round was all about getting to know each other with Lee appearing to tower over Healy, whose low stance made it hard for the Limerick man to find a way through.
But southpaw Lee put a couple of left hooks into Healy's unprotected midriff as a first test for the Belfast man, ten years Lee's senior.
Healy, to his credit, took them in his stride as the first round came to a conclusion.
Lee stepped up a couple of gears for round two as he again targeted Healy's body.
Healy took the hits and went after Lee with an impressive display of aggressive boxing.
But to watch Lee's movement in defence was nothing short of spectacular.
The 6ft 2in southpaw waltzed gracefully out of danger, and set himself up to counter as Healy's attack was thwarted.
Lee landed a low blow later in the round, which he acknowledged immediately by raising his hand. And Lee finished the round on top as he had Healy in trouble on the ropes, but the bell sounded before any major damage could be inflicted.
Healy was still keeping low and looked like he was trying to entice Lee into a scrap, while trying to land a knock-out blow – probably Healy's only way to a victory, even at this early stage of the fight.
In fact, Lee appeared to be encouraging Healy to throw the big punch and he obliged, but Lee saw it coming and countered with a classic left jab, to which Healy had no answer.
Again Lee worked the ribs, connecting with some cracking left hooks that must have softened the Belfast man up as he lowered his guard to offer more protection to his midriff.
The fourth round was to be the last as Lee toyed with Healy, jabbing at his head so that the Belfast boxer would keep his guard up, before, once again, targeting the body with the left hook.
And it was a body blow that was to finish the contest as, late in the round, Lee connected with an awesome left hook, which Lee thought had put his opponent down as he stepped back expecting a count.
But Healy stayed up and as Lee came in to finish him off, the Belfast man hung on as the bell sounded to prevent the Limerick fighter from landing anymore punches.
In fact, there was no need, as the punch had hurt Healy enough to convince him not to return for the fifth round and as a result Lee was awarded the victory that never looked in doubt.
After the fight, Lee's famous trainer Emanuel Stewart was introduced to the crowd who acknowledged the legendary trainer with a rapturous ovation.
Stewart's Kronk Gym in Detroit has been home to some of the world's greatest ever fighters including Thomas 'The Hitman' Hearns, Lennox Lewis, Naseem Hamed, Evander Holyfield and current WBC and WBO Middleweight Champion Jermain Taylor, who may soon have to defend his titles against Stewart's latest protégé, Ireland's Andy Lee.
