Connect with us

Articles of 2007

Duddy On Cusp Of Big Fight

Published

on

On Friday May 18, IBA World middleweight champion “Ireland’s” John Duddy will fight his last bout in the U.S. for the foreseeable future. After the card at New York’s Beacon Theatre Duddy will once again be (Northern) Ireland’s.

In the main event Duddy (19-0, 15 KO’s) will take on southpaw Dupre “Total Package” Strickland (18-1-1, 7 KO’s). It represents a big step up in class for Dupre, and Duddy is expected to return to Europe undefeated.

Obviously, Duddy’s success would be a positive for boxing. He has been dubbed an Irish De La Hoya due to his combination of boxing savvy, marketability, and looks. It would have been nice for his send-away to have been a sexier match-up, but with any luck, his next rumble on U.S. soil will be one of import.

According to Irish Ropes promotions, they would like to test Duddy’s drawing potential in Europe. Though Duddy originally ended up in Queens due to little opportunity back home, there has been much clamoring for his return. Irish Ropes is hoping he can pack some big-time venues. Once that kind of market is established, the door is opened to the big fights.

That unfortunate reality drills home the point that Oscar/Floyd did indeed display high-level boxing’s greatest truism: Money talks.

But taking care of business inside the ring still counts as well. Duddy has been studying film of Strickland.

“He’s very cagey,” said Duddy at a Wednesday presser, “I don’t know but we think he’s a righty turned [lefty].”

“He’ll be doing a lot of body-work and head movement,” added Duddy.

For Strickland, the bout places him in the spoiler role.

“It’s a challenge and something I’ve been waiting for. It’s my time to prevail,” said the 37-year-old Strickland.

He’s not the biggest name out there, but anyone with 18 wins in 20 professional bouts is formidable at a minimum, even if this is his first 10-rounder at 37.

But clearly, the main attraction of this card is the going-away party aspect of the event. There could be a KO, but the draw is the fighter moreso than the fight. If Duddy is what he appears to be, this should have Duddy emerging unbeaten. The intention here appears to be for Duddy to head back to Europe at 20-0 with the chance to prove his drawing-power in Europe as an undefeated contender. And undefeated is the key word there. The key aspect of the equation. Why jeopardize “the plan?”

Becoming a champ is as much calculation as it is perspiration.

So, remember, Friday at the Beacon Theatre a tremendous up-and-coming boxer will be on display. A fighter who “matters.” Perhaps next time his opponent will as well.

For any readers in the NY area, this fight will be shown on Saturday, one day after the fight, on MSG.

Card Details:

Name: “Tomorrow's Champions”

Date & Venue: May 18 @ The Beacon Theatre in New York, NY

Promoter: Irish Ropes Promotions

Main Event: IBA World middleweight champion “Ireland's” John Duddy (19-0, 15 KOs), Queens, NY via Derry, N. Ireland vs. Dupre “Total Package” Strickland (18-1-1, 7 KOs), Slidell, LA, 10 rounds, non-title. Co-Feature: New York State middleweight champion Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak (14-0, 9 KOs), Brooklyn, NY via Poland vs. Anthony Little (7-6, 1 KO), Akron, OH, 6 rounds.

Undercard Fighters: Middleweight Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (11-0, 10 KOs), Brooklyn, NY vs. Victor Paz (9-3-1, 1 KO), Brooklyn, NY, 6 rounds; Super welterweight Henry Coyle (1-0, 1 KO), Chicago via Mayo, Ireland vs. Samuel Ortiz Gomez (0-2), Orlando, FL, 6 rounds; Super flyweight Eileen Olszewski (2-0, 0 KOs), New York, NY vs. Kimberly Tomes (0-2), Brooklyn, NY, 6 rounds; Light heavyweight Denys Lozado (4-1, 2 KOs), Nanuet, NY vs. Steve Marcantonio (2-3, 1 KO), Rahway, NH, 4 rounds; Cruiserweight Thomas Kurzylowski (1-0, 0 KOs), Chicago, Il vs. Robert Evans (0-2), Philadelphia, PA, 4 rounds; Heavyweight Vaughn Parham (1-0, 1 KO), Bronx, NY vs. Kenyatte Ravenell (1-1, 1 KO), Harlem, NY, 4 rounds.

Tickets: $75.00 to $300.00 on sale by calling Irish Ropes Promotions at 212.835.1582 or TicketMaster at 212.307.7171. All tickets include a $4.00 facility fee and TicketMaster purchases are subject to TicketMaster service fees.

Information: Irish Ropes Promotions at 212.835.1582 or go on line to www.irishropes.com.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles7 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles5 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 day ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 day ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles5 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles7 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending