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Andy Lee pictured with his world title on the Late Late Show. RTÉ Screengrab

Dublin defence of world title in March a possibility, admits Andy Lee

Reports earlier suggested an event had been set for St Patrick’s weekend.

Updated at 08.43

ANDY LEE HAS responded to speculation that his first world title defence in March will be in Dublin, admitting that the bout is a possibility.

Reports earlier suggested an event had been set for St Patrick’s weekend, but speaking on tonight’s Late Late Show, Lee denied that anything had been confirmed.

On the subject of the location of his first world title defence, he elaborated that there has been “interest from America” too, and also suggested he was keen on fighting in his birthplace of Limerick in Thomond Park this summer.

Speaking about his famous title win, he explained that he was “quietly confident” going into the fight, despite the bookies favouring his opponent Matt Korobov.

On the fight itself, he added: “I was behind on the scorecards, but I could see I was winning the mental battle. If you watch the fight, the more the fight goes on, the more I grow into it.

“Boxing is about action and reaction — it’s like a chess game, a game of skill.

“I could see in his eyes and demeanour, every time he’d be a little bit more reluctant to engage. As soon as the bell rings you’re locked eye to eye, and the eyes tell you everything.”

Lee explained that “relief” was the overriding emotion when his victory was confirmed.

“When I turned pro people were touting me as a future world champion and I always believed it would come for me even if some people might have thought it was too late.”

The 30-year-old also paid tribute to the thousands of fans who greeted him for his triumphant homecoming.

“It was very important to come home to Limerick — that meant a lot to me. I said I’d fly home to Shannon [rather than Dublin]. The homecoming was a rainy night, so I appreciate everyone coming out.”

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17 Comments
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    Mute coolcounterculture
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    Jan 10th 2015, 12:46 AM

    The almost muted, disinterested applause from the audience when he came out was embarrassing. There should have been a standing ovation for him. He’s a national hero for what he achieved.

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    Mute Dead Ball Browne
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    Jan 10th 2015, 12:49 AM

    Fabulous interview with Andy.
    Like Katie..a fabulous person..no
    Shit.. just a very ordinary person who appreciates their surroundings and friends. Hope Andy defends well..

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    Mute Dead Ball Browne
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    Jan 10th 2015, 12:53 AM

    Late Late got it wrong. Should have showed match footage first and then introduced Andy…..
    Ryan’s a Langer..!!

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    Mute Gazza
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    Jan 10th 2015, 1:54 AM

    Well done Andy Lee ! If you were from Dublin the media would have made you a God by now !

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Jan 10th 2015, 10:18 AM

    You mean like Bray’s Katie Taylor?

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    Mute Noel Keary
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    Jan 10th 2015, 10:22 AM

    Bang on!

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    Mute Ger Healy
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    Jan 10th 2015, 10:48 AM

    Bray is in wicklow you plank

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Jan 10th 2015, 11:11 AM

    I know Ger, take your time to work out what I mean.

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    Mute Gary
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    Jan 10th 2015, 11:31 AM

    Dave, you may have to explain it to him.

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    Mute Wiggy
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    Jan 10th 2015, 2:50 AM

    Tubridy made a right balls of this one .

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    Mute Seamus Cummins
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    Jan 10th 2015, 1:59 AM

    Haven’t seen the interview yet but I can imagine Ryan did a terrible job and prob poorly researched, I remember seeing many interviews he done with sports people where he appears to not have a clue.

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    Mute skullbaggio
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    Jan 10th 2015, 8:43 AM

    Andy wants a chance to defend his title in Limerick, the third of his dreams, there is a possibility of him fighting in March in America or maybe Dublin and by his correspondence last he’d clearly favour America, misleading title, should have been “lifelong dream to defend world title in hometown Limerick a reality”…. Dublin is a long way last in a list of three

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    Mute Seamus Cummins
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    Jan 10th 2015, 10:18 AM

    Great achievement to a world champ, but if he wants to be known and get big fights he should be aiming to stay in the states fighting there, and calling out the top tier fighters, not coming back and fighting second or third tier guys like Saunders. While people will prob go crazy for it here, it will prob not cause any heads to turn in the states where all the top guys are fighting.if he does fight here on paddy’s day, best bet after is to try get golovkin to fight him, would be good fight and prob be his best payday against one of the top new star in boxing

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    Mute Paul Moore
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    Jan 10th 2015, 10:58 AM

    Saunders is his mandatory so he has to fight him, personally i would love to see him in against the Irish Mexican Saul Alvarez would be a massive pay day and a winnible fight great quality match up.

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    Mute Declan Gill
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    Jan 10th 2015, 10:25 AM

    Golovkin can wait for a while yet
    There is no rush to fight him

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