Boxing promoter Frank Warren has confirmed that Andy Lee's much-awaited WBO Middleweight title fight will not take place at Thomond Park as scheduled.
Frank Warren, who represents Lee's opponent Billy Joe Saunders, has told Off The Ball that the fight will now take place in Manchester and has been pushed back to October 10th from its original September 19th date.
"What has happened is that Adam Booth, his manager and co-promoter, informed that Andy has had a virus and he feels that in the next couple of weeks he should be okay and if he gets back in training, he should be okay. The problem I've got is 'should,'" he said.
Warren says his schedule wouldn't allow fight in Ireland until October 31st, which he says is too late for an open air fight #offtheball
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) August 12, 2015
"I also manage Billy Joe Saunders and I can't have my fighter training, not knowing whether that fight is going to take place on that date."
10th October. Manchester Arena. Part of a three World Title fight card.
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) August 12, 2015
Warren also suggested that if Lee wins, his first defence will be in Ireland.
"If Andy wins, I'm quite sure his first defence can be in Limerick in the Spring and if it's a close fight, we can do a rematch and get the fight on over there," he said.
Listen to Warren's comments via the podcast:
