lee7 By John Curran: The recent announcement by Adam Booth to join Team Eubank slams the door shut to a future contest between Andy Lee and Chris Eubank Jnr. It appears, from comments made by Adam Booth, the career trajectory of both middleweights are like that of two ships passing in the night, rapidly moving in opposite directions. The metaphor is my own, while the observation that of Adam Booth.

The comment made by the eminent British Coach/Trainer who believes that Lee and Eubank Jnr will simultaneously remain Champions, while never fighting. Multiple Champions reigning is of course an unfortunate feature of contemporary championship boxing. However, Adam Booth`s proclamation seems a little premature because a match-up between Lee and Eubank Jnr would appear to be a natural domestic encounter and one difficult to resist, if both men continue winning. Of course there may be other plans for Eubank, one might speculate he is going to move up to Super-Middleweight, a weight category his Father dominated for so many years.

Eubank Jnr has not fought since winning an Interim WBA championship; his victory followed a decision loss to Saunders. Billy Joe, is as we know, in line for a much delayed, though hugely anticipated encounter with Andy Lee. Saunders will be attempting to wrest the WBO middleweight championship belt from the very hard hitting Lee. This is no easy task; even for the hugely accomplished Billy Joe Saunders, especially as Lee`s boxing ability appears to be underestimated by many, although Saunders appears to have a good deal of respect for Lee`s ring craft, Lee`s skills honed under the legendary Emanuel Steward at the Kronk Gym. Andy Lee provides a genuine comparison with Tommy Hearns, this alone should mean that he is not taken lightly; Lee has only improved under the tutelage of Adam Booth.

The likely winner of Lee v Saunders would make Chris Eubank Jnr an attractive challenger. If Saunders does take away Andy Lee`s title then a big money domestic return with Eubank Jnr makes a good deal of sense. It is, I would respectfully suggest, perhaps a little early for Eubank Jnr and Billy Joe Saunders to be considering Miguel Cotto or Gennady Golovkin. Tentative steps should also be taken at this early stage in the direction of Peter Quillan, Daniel Geale or Daniel Jacobs. If Lee holds onto his WBO belt then he will have various options, one of these must surely include a hugely lucrative domestic match against Eubank Jnr. So why discount the prospect of such a fight at this early stage? The post fight analysis after the Saunders v Eubank Jnr encounter might provide an answer. Comments included suggestion middleweight championship belt from the very hard hitting Lee. This is no easy task; even for the hugely accomplished Billy Joe Saunders, especially as Lee`s boxing ability appears to be underestimated by many, although Saunders appears to have a good deal of respect for Lee`s ring craft, Lee`s skills honed under the legendary Emanuel Steward at the Kronk Gym. Andy Lee provides a genuine comparison with Tommy Hearns, this alone should mean that he is not taken lightly; Lee has only improved under the tutelage of Adam Booth.

Tentative steps should also be taken at this early stage in the direction of Peter Quillan, Daniel Geale or Daniel Jacobs. If Lee holds onto his WBO belt then he will have various options, one of these must surely include a hugely lucrative domestic match against Eubank Jnr. So why discount the prospect of such a fight at this early stage? The post fight analysis after the Saunders v Eubank Jnr encounter might provide an answer. Comments included suggestions that Eubank Jnr might be vulnerable when confronted with a power puncher. This would make avoidance of Andy Lee a rationale decision.