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Former WBO Middleweight Champion Andy Lee, out of action since a decision win over KeAndrae Leatherwood last March, has announced his retirement from boxing, citing the birth of his child and the fact that he’d accomplished all he’d set out to do in the ring.
Via Ireland’s “Off the Ball” radio program:
“I’ve actually achieved everything I wanted to in the game. I’ve had an amazing career and an amazing life through boxing. It’s defined my life. I kept myself available to see what my options were, but none of the fights or none of the offers were big enough to get me to go back.”
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“I have responsibilities now as a father. To leave my wife and daughter, it would take a big fight to get me to do that and go through all that training,” Lee said. “I took a decision to take some time off, obviously. Then we had a baby that has been the best thing, and that’s my priority right now.”
Lee (35-3-1, 24 KO), a student of the late Emmanuel Steward, flattened Matt Korobov for the title in 2014 and bounced back from two knockdowns to force a draw with Peter Quillin in his first defense. He wound up losing the belt to Billy Joe Saunders, but fought his way to a majority decision despite two more knockdowns.
Lee was incredibly fun to watch and capable of laying anyone flat with his right hook. We wish him the best in retirement.