Irish middleweight Andy Lee has acknowledged that veteran Memphis puncher Antwun Echols will pose a threat.
The 24-year-old Limerick southpaw was speaking at a press conference in Jack Dempsey's bar in New York City yesterday to announce details of his upcoming fight with Echols at Madison Square Garden on 16 March.
Both boxers will headline the 'Erin Go Brawl' promotion that will also feature former WBC Bantamweight champion Wayne McCullough.
The showdown on the eve of St Patrick's Day will be Lee's first fight since he beat Willie Gibbs in Limerick last summer, and the former Irish Olympian is eagerly looking forward to the occasion.
'I regard this fight as a challenge and an opportunity to develop and learn my craft,' said Lee. 'Antwun Echols has shared the ring with world champions such as Bernard Hopkins and Anthony Mundine, so I will learn a lot from him.'
Lee's manager Emanuel Steward has watched his man win twice at Madison Square Garden in the last few years.
And the Kronk supremo believes that his man can only learn for his third appearance at the venue.
'Andy had a very impressive win against a tough opponent, Willie Gibbs, in his last fight,' said Steward.
'My strategy is to keep Andy at this level, learning from experienced opponents moving forward in his career. The fight with Antwun Echols is very much a developmental fight with an experienced and talented boxer.'
The 16 March card card will also feature McCullough, Irish featherweight champion Patrick Hyland, Dean Byrne, Simon O'Donnell and Lee's former St Francis Limerick club-mate, Jamie Power.
McCullough's opponent for next month's promotion has yet to be announced.
