Sturm brewing for Lee?

ANDY Lee has fuelled speculation he is on the verge of agreeing to challenge WBA world middleweight champion Felix Sturm in Germany on April 13 by withdrawing from the mega March 17 New York show.

The Limerick contender, who was set to act as chief support for fellow Irish middleweight Matthew Macklin’s world title bout with Sergio Martinez in Madison Square Garden, cited the inability to get a ‘suitable world ranked opponent’ as the reason he pulled out of the ’Up your Irish ’ card.

However, talk Lee is next in line for Leonidas’ is rife. Indeed the Kronk’s southpaw’s

promoter, Lou DiBella added further fuel to the fire by claiming the 2004 Olympian is ready to travel to Germany to challenge the man who scored a very fortunate points win over Macklin last year.

“Andy Lee is ready and willing to fight Felix Sturm and he is willing to go to Germany. It would be a great fight. Lee is confident about his chances and again there would be no problem going to Germany,” DiBella said over the weekend.

Lee was a little less forthcoming and suggested a lack of a worthy challenge was the catalyst behind his withdrawal.

“It is with great regret that I have to withdraw from the March 17, St Patrick’s Day Promotion at MSG Theatre. Unfortunately due to the unavailability of a suitable world ranked opponent Team Lee have collectively decided it is in my best career interest to pass on a fight on this occasion.”