Lee eyes big 2017 comeback fight to force Golovkin showdown

Andy Lee will return to the ring early next year and is aiming for a big opponent that could help him secure the clash that he craves with middleweight king Gennady Golovkin.

Limerick’s former WBO World champion has not fought since losing his title to Billy Joe Saunders last December in Manchester, but is targeting an immediate return to high stakes action when he re-enters the ring.

Lee [34(24)-3(2)-1] has revealed that he was due to fight on the Golovkin v Danny Jacobs card which was tentatively scheduled for December 10th but has since been pushed back to 2017. The southpaw plans to still appear on the refixed show against Argentinian Jorge Sebastian Heiland [28(15)-4(0)-2], the WBC #1-ranked middleweight and defeater of Matthew Macklin. A win here could help lead Lee into a bout with WBC, IBF, and WBA champ Gennady Golovkin.

Speaking tonight on Newstalk 106FM’s Off The Ball, Lee described how “originally it was supposed to be a prelim bout against an opponent of our choosing which would be like a comeback, somebody with a good record, maybe rated in the Top 20 – but the way things have developed, there’s a good chance I could fight Jorge Sebastian Heiland who is the WBC #1 contender. People might know him as he beat Matthew Macklin here in the 3Arena a couple of years ago now.”

“That’s a fight I’d like and a fight which would make sense for me. It would lead to a possible title fight with Golovkin so that’s what I’m hoping is in the works.”