Lee’s first defence back up in the air

IT seem’s Frank Warren has put a spanner in the works and will prevent Andy Lee from putting his WBO middleweight title on the line against Peter Quillin in America this April.

The popular Limerick man looked set to accept a substantial offer from Al Hayman to fight Kid Chocolate, the fighter who vacated the WBO title rather than face Matt Korobov, who Lee dethroned by stoppage in December.

However, Warren told Ciaran Gallagher in the Irish Examiner that he will push for Lee to fight mandatory challenger Billy Joe Saunders next. Warren, who also promotes Stephen Ormond, was open to allowing Lee make a Dublin defence on St Patrick’s weekend before having a massive Summer showdown with the English puncher.

Once news of a possible big showdown in America broke, however, the promoter changed tact and the WBO last week called for purse to be held next Tuesday, 27 January for the fight between the pair.

So it now seems likely the World champ will put his strap on the line against Saunders next, but if he emerges victorious he is then in control of his own destiny.