ContinueAndy Lee believes he is in the best shape of his life as he prepares to try and wrestle the WBC middleweight title from the hands of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on Saturday night in El Paso, Texas.
The Irish fighter is ranked inside the top 5 by the WBO, WBA and WBC after an impressive career in which he has only been beaten on one occasion in his 28 fights.
Lee was surprisingly beaten by Brian Vera but got his revenge against the American fighter and has been working hard to try and secure his first world title.
Based at the Kronk gym in Detroit, Lee works with legendary trainer Emmanuel Steward who is confident that the man born in the east end of London can beat the Mexican fighter.
"Preparations for the fight could not have been any better; Andy is a very disciplined and determined fighter and he is physically and mentally prepared for the biggest fight of his career to date," Steward told the Iritsh Central.
"We have prepared for every possible scenario in the fight against a young, strong and resolute undefeated champion. However Chavez Jr. has never fought a fighter like Andy Lee and the champion is going to realise that on fight night.
"At the age of 28, Andy is in the prime of his life, he is a big middleweight, a southpaw, has vast experience as an amateur and professional, can box on the outside and fight at close quarters and has the power to take a fighter out with either hand.
"Andy’s time has arrived, he has trained his entire life for this moment and he is now ready to become the new WBC middleweight champion. Andy is a fighter on a mission and with the frame of mind he has had in the gym during camp I believe he can knock Chavez Jr. out."
Chavez Jr may be two years younger than Lee but he has far more experience having already wracked up 45 wins and 31 KO's in his time as a professional boxer.
However, Lee is confident that he will have too much for the tough Mexican and can succeed where the likes of Martin Murray, Darren Barker and Matthew Macklin have all failed in winning a middleweight world title.
"I relish this opportunity to fight for and win the WBC middleweight title; I have never been more ready to win the title. I am totally focussed on the fight and I’m ready to care of business come fight night," said Lee.
"I am not going to El Paso to make up the numbers on the card; believe me this is the pinnacle of a lifetime’s work and the opportunity is not going to pass me by. I’m going to win the title.
"Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has been proud champion and has kept himself busy in the last 12 months since winning the title, but I will be too strong and have too much ring craft for him. I will be the fighter who will leaving town as the new champion, this is my date with destiny."
