Lee travels to Detroit for talks

BOXING: Andy Lee will have talks with famed US coach Emanuel Stewart at the Kronk Gym in Detroit this week, but is adamant that…

BOXING: Andy Lee will have talks with famed US coach Emanuel Stewart at the Kronk Gym in Detroit this week, but is adamant that he is still an amateur boxer.

Lee jetted out yesterday amid speculation that he was about to walk away from the amateur game.

However, the St Francis Limerick southpaw insisted he was just in Detroit for training - where he will spar with WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko.

"It could be a few weeks before I sign anything and while I will be having talks with Emanuel Stewart, I still haven't made my mind up and I'm still an amateur," said Lee.

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"Emanuel has made me an offer and we will be discussing that in Detroit, but right now I am just looking forward to training at the Kronk and sparring with Vitali Klitschko", he added.

Meanwhile, John Joe Joyce of St Michael's Athy is guaranteed at least a bronze medal at the European Junior Boxing championships following a dramatic 60 kg quarter-final victory in Estonia yesterday.

Joyce advanced to the last four thanks to a 96-93 countback win over Lithuanian Karlois Azukas after both fighters were locked at 40-40 after four rounds.

John Joe, whose brother David Joyce is fighting for a medal today, will now meet Ukrainian Andriy Lukiynchuk in the semi-finals tomorrow.