Andy Lee: "It’s an honour to have a life that people feel worthy of writing about"
ON February 20, Limerick star Andy Lee announced his retirement as a professional boxer.
The Castleconnell man departed a former WBO world middleweight champion with a record of 35 wins with (24KOs), 3 losses and one draw.
The former St Francis Boxing Club Olympian has now released his biography – Fighter, which was co-written with Niall Kelly and printed by Gill Books.
“There is a certain amount of trepidation but now that I see people are enjoying the book it’s easier to relax,” Andy Lee told LeaderSport.
“There were fears of talking about my upbringing and childhood and I guess the person that you are and the character that you are. It felt a bit strange having a book out there about your life and anyone can pick it up and read of your innermost fears. I always wore my heart on my self, especially in interviews. I was never afraid to say how I felt and this is a continuation of that with a lot more detail and insight into what was going on at certain points,” said the married father of one.
“It’s a book that I feel will stand the test of time and something for Julia and any further children to read. It’s an honour to have a life that people feel worthy of writing about. I didn’t hold a lot back. I was a bit hesitant at the start but once Niall earned my trust it was free rein to ask me anything. There isn’t much omitted from the book. You set yourself up and expose yourself and let them into your personal world,” he explained.
Already there appears to be universal approval for the book, which has been short-listed for numerous awards.
“The book is being received well, which is great and there has also been an up-swing in my popularity which I never thought I would have after retiring! Conor Nagle is editor of Gills Books and I had met him a few years ago at Primavera Festival in Barcelona and every now and then he would send me the odd text about writing a book and I never thought about it. A few months after I retired I thought it was my window and I felt there was a good story to tell and the memories were still fresh,” recalled Lee.
Now living in Dublin, Lee revealed that his brother in law, wife and mother all helped with the final draft.
“Maud’s brother, who is a sports fanatic and reads a lot of sports books, read it and Maud read it and my mother read it. It’s grand for me to write a book but there are implications for them too and the family and everyone mentioned in the book. I hoped it would sit well with them. Niall (Kelly) did a good job in handling all the sensitive subjects well and huge credit goes to Niall in the way he wrote it and how he structured it in terms of the pacing and jumping back and forth.”
While currently busy, promoting the book, what of the future?
“Everyone wants to ask that and I brush it off. My stock answer is that I am a man of leisure these days or that I am a full-time dad. The truth is that I don’t know - I am comfortable not knowing at this time. I am retired less than a year so I don’t feel an urgency to jump into anything or the need to. There will have to come a time when I need to do something else,” said Lee.
Any regrets about retirement?
“I don’t miss boxing at all. I miss the friends from the boxing world but I can still talk to them anytime I want. I miss the training and routine and endorphin boost from that but in terms of boxing itself I don’t miss it - I was very fortunate to have done what I wanted and to end it on my terms and I’m at peace with that. There were a few moments, initially, when Maud would catch me in the kitchen just sighing because it did take a while to get my head around it.”
He continued: “What would I be chasing if I stayed in boxing. I had done what I wanted to do and won the title and after that I was just trying to relive towards moments and it would never be the same. Once the hunger is gone, it’s very hard. Boxing is not a sport that you mess around with - you will pay the price”.
Fighter by Andy Lee with Niall Kelly, is published by Gill Books, priced €22.99