For More On Mike Lee and Notre Dame
Mike Lee is an undefeated professional boxer in the light heavyweight class. The Wheaton, IL native turned pro in January and is signed with Bob Arum's Top Rank, Inc.
Lee made his professional debut on May 29th in front of his home town crowd at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. More than 2,000 people came specifically to cheer Lee on as he won a four-round unanimous decision against Emmitt Woods.
"He looked in great shape and displayed a crisp jab, which he kept working throughout the fight," said ESPN Boxing writer Dan Rafael. "He also kept his hands nice and high and threw a lot of combinations. For a pro debut, it was a fine performance. With his popularity, all-American back story and potential, he's a guy to keep an eye on."
Lee is a 2005 graduate of Benet Academy in Lisle. Lee spent his freshman year at the University of Missouri and then transferred to the University of Notre Dame in 2006 and graduated in 2009 with a degree in finance. It was at Notre Dame where Mike first competitively stepped into the boxing ring, fighting in the Bengal Bouts.
During Lee's sophomore year, he won the 175-pound crown in a technical, knockout stopping his opponent in the third round. In his junior year he was named junior captain successfully defending his title and received Notre Dame's Boxer of the Year Award. Lee was named captain in his senior year becoming a three time Bengal Bouts champion.
After graduating from Notre Dame, Lee competed in the 2009 Chicago's Golden Gloves competition where he defeated five opponents, ultimately winning his class.
In the summer of 2008 Lee went to Bangladesh to personally witness and experience how the money raised during the Bengal Bouts positively effected the lives of the children at the mission. Lee has established a foundation to help fund the Notre Dame Holy Cross Missions of Bangladesh.
Lee currently trains in Houston, TX with legendary Ronnie Shields.
Lee's next fight will be on July 24th in Las Vegas.