The Boxing World reacts to the retirement of ‘Gentleman’ Andy Lee
Andy Lee is an Irish great. His ring achievements have assured him of legendary status on this Island.
An Olympian who achieved his World title dream, Lee was also in some of the more memorable fights in recent history.
Big names, big knock outs and big wins it’s a career both he and Irish fight fans will look back on fondly.
However, when the news broke earlier this week fight fans from around the world and those invovled in the game took time to praise the former WBO middleweight champion of the World for the way he represented himself and the sport out of the ring as much as they did for what he achieved in the ring.
Off The Ball broadcast an hour plus long farewell and as things got slightly emotional as the texts and tweets came into the Newstalk show and Twitter itself was awash with Lee love.
Congrats to my friend, @AndyLeeBoxing, on his well reasoned decision to retire as a boxer. It was a pleasure and honor to work with him. He represented himself, his family, #Ireland and boxing with class dignity and grace. He leaves healthy, with a beautiful family and future. pic.twitter.com/9KpCzkF54T
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) February 21, 2018
Just read @AndyLeeBoxing has retired from boxing. Congratulations on a fantastic career bud. I remember seeing you at the bar in JFK on your own after the Chavez loss. You kept the belief & went on to achieve your dream..well done! Good luck with whatever’s next
— matthew macklin (@mattmacklin) February 20, 2018
Happy retirement @AndyLeeBoxing. A superb ambassador for boxing. https://t.co/tU0KPRYie5
— Katie Taylor (@KatieTaylor) February 21, 2018
Health and happiness in retirement @AndyLeeBoxing I still remember watching your fight in the Athens Olympic Games with Alfredo Angulo through a neighbours window cheering on every score with my mates!
— Jamie Conlan (@JamieConlan11) February 21, 2018
Happy retirement @AndyLeeBoxing
— Paddy Barnes OLY (@paddyb_ireland) February 21, 2018
Wishing you all the best in your retirement @AndyLeeBoxing
— Kell Brook (@SpecialKBrook) February 21, 2018
Happy Retirement champ @AndyLeeBoxing pic.twitter.com/X9MVkQh71o
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) February 20, 2018
All the very best in retirement @AndyLeeBoxing, enjoy the other side! (and not getting hit in the face obviously!) https://t.co/D7drQpkUWy
— Jamie Moore (@JamieMoore777) February 21, 2018
Happy retirement @AndyLeeBoxing. Great career and well deserved #IRISH
— Jamie Kavanagh (@JamieKavanagh90) February 21, 2018
The tributes being paid to @AndyLeeBoxing are richly deserved and show the high esteem he’s held in by sports fans across the world. A true role model for any young athlete. Everyone at the BUI wish you the very best in retirement Andy. pic.twitter.com/5VkE5P8ozn
— BoxingUnionOfIreland (@boxingunionIRL) February 21, 2018
A thought we all concur with: “Anywhere you go in the world, everyone loves Andy Lee”
Javan ‘Sugar’ Hill Stewart pays tribute to @AndyLeeBoxing tonight as he retires: https://t.co/owOyEnx6m7 #OTB pic.twitter.com/oT5ZN2U3wj
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) February 20, 2018
All the best in whatever you do next Champ!! @AndyLeeBoxing
— Steven Ward (@Stevenward_) February 20, 2018
Happy retirement to Irish boxing legend @AndyLeeBoxing, a complete gentleman out of the ring and what a warrior inside. His world title win against Korobov was phenomenal! #RightHookLee pic.twitter.com/b2McHWShYT
— Conrad Cummings (@ChampCummings) February 20, 2018
#The Quiet Man with the right hook from hell” Mr Andy Lee. Rest well my good friend, you reached the top of your mountain. Time to enjoy what is important in life.
— Kenneth Egan OLY (@kenegan30) February 20, 2018
Health and happiness in retirement @AndyLeeBoxing I still remember watching your fight in the Athens Olympic Games with Alfredo Angulo through a neighbours window cheering on every score with my mates!
— Jamie Conlan (@JamieConlan11) February 21, 2018
One of Ireland’s greatest ever boxers amateur and professional @AndyLeeBoxing enjoy your retirement
— Jason Quigley (@jay_quigley) February 20, 2018
Happy Retirement champ @AndyLeeBoxing pic.twitter.com/X9MVkQh71o
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) February 20, 2018
A thought we all concur with: “Anywhere you go in the world, everyone loves Andy Lee”
Javan ‘Sugar’ Hill Stewart pays tribute to @AndyLeeBoxing tonight as he retires: https://t.co/owOyEnx6m7 #OTB pic.twitter.com/oT5ZN2U3wj
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) February 20, 2018
Happy retirement to the gentleman of boxing @AndyLeeBoxing ☘️
Its been an absolute pleasure training and learning alongside this man for years!
Enjoy the life you’ve created for you and your family x pic.twitter.com/Xz4lt3x6AH
— Ryan Burnett (@ryanburnett01) February 20, 2018
Middleweight @AndyLeeBoxing won a world title and had some memorable fights. On Tuesday, he announced his retirement. Was a pleasure to cover his entire career. Good fighter, better person. My story: https://t.co/HMXZqDOwxi #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) February 21, 2018
@AndyLeeBoxing happy Retirement pal a true worrier and hounered to have shared a ring with you stay blessed
— billyjoesaunders (@bjsaunders_) February 21, 2018
Just read @AndyLeeBoxing has retired from boxing. Congratulations on a fantastic career bud. I remember seeing you at the bar in JFK on your own after the Chavez loss. You kept the belief & went on to achieve your dream..well done! Good luck with whatever’s next
— matthew macklin (@mattmacklin) February 20, 2018
Some midnight scribbles on a great Irish sportsperson, for whom pageantry stretched only as far as flying the flag. It was – and will continue to be – a pleasure, @AndyLeeBoxing https://t.co/DiITIyXlju
— Gavan Casey (@GavanCasey) February 21, 2018
Never met or crossed passed w/ you @AndyLeeBoxing , but I have the utmost respect for you, & that right hook. Enjoy life after boxing, champ.
— Sergio Mora (@TheLatinSnake_) February 20, 2018
