Lee set to make first defence in Dublin on St Patricks weekend

ANDY Lee looks set to make the first defence of his recently acquired WBO middleweight title in Dublin this March.

Rumours were circulating this week that the Limerick southpaw was going to have a defence before facing mandatory challenger Billy Joe Saunders-and according to that rumour mill The 3Arena had been booked for March 14.

Ireland’s legendary boxing writer and fight historian Gerry Callan confirms that Dublin will place host to a World title fight for the first time since Bernard Dunne lost his WBA super bantamweight strap to Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym September of 2009.

The Report in the Star newspaper reveals that March 14 is the most likely date for a clash that has already been agreed, but stresses March 21 is a possibility.

The WBO had given Team Lee and Team Saunders until January 13 to agree terms, but it seems they have agreed to put that fight back until the Summer so Lee, who still desires a Thomond Park defence, can put his title on the line at home in Ireland.

The aforementioned rumours had Russian opposition in the opposite corner, but The Star reveal Danish southpaw Patrick Nielsen will provide the opposition.

Ireland will now play host to two World title fights in in less than month with Carl Frampton putting his IBF super bantamweight title on the line against Chris Avalos on February 28, which is not only great news for fight fans, but Irish fighters as a number of undercard slots will be up for grabs.