Andy Lee and Maureen Shea win in States

31 July 2010

Limerick middleweight Andy Lee marked time as he awaits a major title shot with a fifth round stoppage of James Brian Cook in Okalahoma on Friday night.

Lee, 22-1 (16KO) was boxing on the untelevised portion of ESPNs popular Friday Night Fights card against the unheralded Cook, 11-4 (8KO).

In a bout that was more about raising the 26-year-old Irishmans US profile and keeping sharp rather than testing himself to the limit, Lee ended the contest with a left hook to the body in the fifth of eight scheduled rounds.

Cook had hit the canvas in the previous round, although it had been ruled a low blow.

Lee will now be a keen observer of September 18s European clash between Matthew Macklin and Darren Barker.

Meanwhile, Irish-American Maureen Shea, 15-2 (9KO) has won the NABF featherweight title having defeated Liliana Martinez, 8-11 (4KO) at the City Center in Saratoga Springs, NY. Shea, know as The Real Million Dollar Baby won the contest by way of a third round stoppage.