text: Andy Lee will be onto a winner no matter what happens on Saturday night. The 30-year-old arrived in New York on a crest of a wave, a newly crowned world champion eager to lap up the first defence of the title he won so superbly before Christmas. And his future took the most unexpected of twists on Friday night after American Peter Quillin, the undefeated former WBO middleweight champion, failed to make required 160 lbs weight ensuring the battle at the Barclays Center will have no title on the line. Andy Lee (left) lines up with (L-R) Danny Garcia, Lamont Peterson and his opponent Peter Quillin in New York . Lee's bout on Saturday will no longer be a title fight after Quillin failed to make the 160lb weight . Lee was hoping to make his first defence of the WBO middleweight title he won against Matt Korobov last year . Lee works out with trainer Adam Booth at the Barclays Centre ahead of his showdown with Quillin . Quillin says he has faced struggles his whole life and that this fight will just be the latest in a long line . Quillin, who had been out for a year, initially hit the scales at 161.9 and despite a quick run and hope session on the treadmill saw him register 160.6, it was not enough. Naturally, the Irishman still wants to impress, especially with the event screened live on US TV to an expected audience of millions. Yet when the bells goes, he knows nothing can destroy his own title dream. 'He came back onto the scales and in the end it was just too much for him to lose, ' said trainer Adam Booth. 'You can lose three pounds in a short space of time but it didn't happen. Andy still has to go out and do a job. 'I think he knew he wasn't going to make the weight but he still tried. He lost 0.8 of a pound knowing that he wasn't going to make it. He tried his arse off. 'He couldn't make it. That's not our problem. All Andy can do is his job. And his job is to make weight professionally. To be fit, strong and ready for everything that can happen in this fight – and he is.' 'I am still happy that I can fight Andy but it is disappointing,' added a dejected Quillin who had not fought for a year after vacating his belt to tend to his dying uncle, a factor which clearly worked against him when aiming to reach the desired fighting weight. 'I didn't want to let down any of my fans or family who wanted me to get my title back. This won't effect my confidence. Nothing will break me and I will always stay in the eye of the storm.' The Irishman took his world title chance by beating Korobov for the WBO middleweight title . The 30-year-old admits he may have retired from boxing had he not beaten John Jackson in June last year . Lee celebrates his world title win in December . Providing Lee comes through unscathed, London's Billy Joe Saunders is the mandatory challenger - while a lucrative fight against Puerto Rico legend Miguel Cotto is also a potential option. It was two hours of unexpected drama but no matter – it simply means Lee has even longer to bask in the spotlight. What a difference 10 months makes. Last summer 30 year-old Irishman was struggling to get a shot at the big time. The end of his career was lurching into view. Trainer Booth sat the man from Limerick down and laid it on the line. If John Jackson wasn't beaten, and beaten well, it could have been time to call it a day. Not only was Jackson superbly put to the sword, he then went on to scoop the big one. A brilliant flurry of right hands in Las Vegas before Christmas sent the previously unbeaten Matt Korobov crashing and the new WBO middleweight champion of the world was crowned. It was just desserts for an underrated fighter who chiseled his inner grit, strength and dynamism on the mean streets of Detroit under the legendary guidance of Emanuel Steward in his famous Kronk gym. On Saturday comes the chance to take another huge bite out of the Big Apple and back up promoter Lou Di Bella's claims that the Irish warrior is a superstar in the making. Quillin, who boasts a record of 31-0 with 22 ko's says his 12 months out of competitive action have seen him adopt a new found freshness and desire which should ensure one hell of a tussle at what should be a rocking Barclays Center in Brooklyn. There is a permanent glint in his eye. Lee, though, is ready. 'Kid Chocalate' Quillin (left), pictured with Gabriel Rosado, has not been beaten in 31 professional fights . Lee's next fight could be a lucrative contest against legendary Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto (right) 'I have lived and fought in the US for years so this holds absolutely no fears for me. Some fighters from the UK may look at coming to the States and be thinking what a big platform it is and that could weigh on their mind,' he said. 'I don't have those problems. Detroit was a tough school to learn my trade. The gym was a 'kill or be killed atmosphere.' There was no regard for reputation and you had to prove yourself every day. 'I have fought in tough gyms before but this was the toughest. It's not just about the technical aspects, people there are trying to knock your head off. 'I was the King of the gym but it has helped me become the fighter I am. There would be young lads ready to have a go but I took it all. Competition like that breeds success. 'I am sure he has trained well but activity is an important thing for a fighter and could be a factor. I am not banking on him being rusty but when you are fighting and making weight regularly, everything comes more naturally. Being as active as I have been is an advantage for me. 'If it hadn't gone to plan against Jackson we would have had to make some tough decisions. Boxing is a hard game and it's tough way to make a living. I am so proud to be an Irishman from Limerick defending my title in New York City. 'It doesn't get much better than this.' Trainer Booth (right) has been holed up with Lee in Monte Carlo ahead of the big fight on Saturday . Holing up with Booth in Monte Carlo has got Lee in tune for the biggest night of his life. 'Looking back, did I think it was going to happen for him ? No,' admitted the man who helped David Haye become world champion. 'I knew he would be able to win a title but it's whether or not that opportunity would have ever come up. 'The pressure of him achieving something has been lifted and he's expressing himself like never before. It's a joy to watch.
target: Andy Lee was set to defend his middleweight title against Peter Quillin .
  The bout is now a non-title fight after American missed the 160lbs weight .
  Billy Joe Saunders is the next mandatory challenger while there is also talk of a lucrative contest with Miguel Cotto .