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Andy Lee the movie? Former world champ reveals film interest in his book

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The Fighter could go from critically acclaimed book to Oscar winning film if initial movie interest snowballs.

The former middleweight champion of the world released his autobiography, which was ghost written by Niall Kelly, last year.

The 2004 Olympian’s story from London, to Limerick, to Detroit and on captured the imagination of the wider public and instantly earned the respect of those more experienced in all things books.

The well written, intriguing and even thought provoking read picked up a number of awards around the turn of the year.

Now it seems people from the world of film have taken an interest and the book could be turned into a feature length movie.

Speaking on Off The Ball AM this morning, Lee, who now coaches Paddy Donovan and Jason Quigley, revealed there has been interest with regard to dramatizing the book for the big screen.

“I don’t want to say too much, but someone is trying to option my book for a film,” he said.

“People seem to think [there is enough drama there for a film] I am just going with the flow, we’ll see.”

Lee had expressed an interest in acting upon retiring and was studying the craft, but it appears he wouldn’t want to play himself. The former WBO middleweight world title holder has someone specific in mind.

“If I had my choice I’d go with Will Poulter who is a young actor. I don’t think he looks like me too much, but I really like him as an actor.”

Boxing has always been a good film bedfellow and the fight film genre is one packed with classics. If it was to be converted into a movie, Lee could be up there with Muhammad Ali, Jake LaMotta, Jim Bradock, Mickey Ward, Vinny Paz and others as fighters whose lives and careers were big screen material.

While Lee is the subject of movie interest, current light middleweight world title hopeful Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan, has been seen on the big screen as recent as last weekend.

Terry McMahon known for the likes of Charlie Casanova and Patrick’s Day has told the story of the Cork man in the documentary ‘The Prizefighter’.

The film Premiered on Friday, October 18 in Kerry and Virgin Media have bought the rights so it will end up on television eventually.

dpg

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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