| Duddy Wins First Title  By
Declan O’Kelly
John Duddy did not attend our Top 100 Irish-Americans of the Year event
on March 16. He had a good reason – he was boxing the head off Shelby
Pudwill in Madison Square Garden on the way to winning his first professional
belt, the WBC Continental Americas middleweight title. He made quick work
of Pudwill, knocking him out in 91 seconds, bringing his record to 16-0
with 14 knockouts.
Duddy’s first title defense on June 10 will be against the very
respected and vastly experienced Freddy Cuevas, who has beaten former
world champion boxers Charles Murray and Wilfredo Rivera. He also took
Jermaine Taylor, current undisputed and world middleweight champion, the
full 12 rounds, so the fight will represent a big step up in class for
the Derry-born fighter.
“I keep working hard and at the end of the day, this is what I want
to do and where I want to be. I’m very comfortable fighting at home
in New York’s Madison Square Garden. Hopefully this fight will be
another step forward. The more fans, the merrier, and I am really looking
forward to the June 10 bout,” Duddy said at the press conference
for the fight, which is on the undercard to Miguel Cotto vs. Paulie Malignaggi
on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day Parade.
Malignaggi’s promoter, Lou DiBella, paid tribute to Duddy saying,
“John Duddy has been partially responsible for the resurgence of
boxing in New York City and he has been fully responsible for re-igniting
the interest of the Irish-American community in boxing in New York City.”
High praise from the man behind Jermaine Taylor. DiBella went on to say
how he had tried to get Duddy to sign with him but he complimented Irish
Ropes on getting there first and doing a fine job.
Though he has fought with Irish Ropes all his career, Duddy only put pen
to paper on a three-year-deal with Irish Ropes in early May. “Over
the past three years we’ve put a together a good team. I couldn’t
see any reason not to sign with them. It’s fantastic and they were
really generous. Wherever I go in boxing, Irish Ropes is going to be there.”
Eddie McLaughlin, President of Irish Ropes, was equally delighted with
the deal. “I’m sure he got better offers from other promoters,
but we have built a team of people that he is very comfortable with. John
Duddy is already one of the most exciting fighters in the world today
and someday he will be world champion.”
Irish America caught up with them all recently when the Irish Ropes gym
in Rockaway, Queens, opened its doors to the local community to welcome
their new champion home. Duddy patiently stood for photos with kids and
their parents, displaying the social skills and charisma that have made
him such a marketable fighter. “All fights are tough, but I hope
my next fight is as tough as my last,” Duddy said laughing as he
showed off his belt and his Top 100 award.
Duddy, who normally trains between the Irish Ropes and Gleeson’s
gym, will go to a training camp in the Poconos for the first time in preparation
for his Garden bout. “We are sending him up there to get him into
the best possible physical condition,” said manager Eddie McLaughlin.
Now ranked thirteenth by the World Boxing Association, Duddy has made
enormous progress since we first featured him in the 2005 June/July issue
of Irish America. Success in the ring has not had a negative impact on
the affable Derryman as he has used his newfound fame to promote the Irish
Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) group, wearing an ILIR T-shirt in
the ring for his title fight in March and attending the recent address
to the ILIR given by Senator John McCain in the Bronx.
Now a titleholder, Duddy’s first defense against such proven opposition
represents his knocking on the door of the business end of the middleweight
division. June 10 offers Duddy increased exposure, as he will fight in
front of his largest crowd and TV audience. Victory will mean bigger fights
and bigger paydays. The sky was the limit when he first came over in 2003;
now it doesn’t seem so far away. |
