By Dan Ambrose: Middleweight contender Andy Lee (24-1, 18 KO’s) is hoping his fight against Craig McEwan (19-0, 10 KO’s) on March 12th opens the doors for a title shot against Sergio Martinez. Lee, 26, is currently ranked #5 WBA and #13 WBC. Lee has won his last nine fights since being stopped by Bryan Vera in the 7th round in 2008.

Speaking with Eastsideboxing’s On the Ropes Boxing Radio program, Lee said “I hope to impress, just just win the fight but look good in doing it and if I do that it will solidify my claim as the title contender and if I could do it in style then I’ll turn some heads and maybe will start to see me as a title challenger. I’ve already had calls to challenge some of the other title holders in the past, but Sergio Martinez is the best middleweight and I would like to fight him. After this fight if I win, maybe one more after that but I think I’m in line for a title fight sometime this year.”

I expect Lee to beat McEwan on March 12th, but it’s not going to be easy. McEwan can fight and could give Lee some problems if he can take Lee into the deep waters and land some solid shots. But Martinez is a bridge too far for Lee. He’ll end up knocking Lee out and making it look easy. I would suggest that Lee avoid that fight, and focus on trying to get a shot against WBC middleweight paper champion Sebastian Zbik. That’s the easier fight for Lee, and the one where he can avoid getting beaten up or viciously knocked out.