Duddy vows to leave New York in style

JOHN Duddy has vowed to leave New York in style on May 18 before heading home for his first professional fight on Irish soil.

The unbeaten Derry man is ranked No 9 in the middleweight division by the WBA after taking his record to 19-0 (15 KOs) with the successful defence of his IBA World and WBC Continental Americas titles against on March 16 against Anthony Bonsante at Madison Square Garden.

He will have one more fight in the Big Apple, at Manhattan’s Beacon Theatre, before returning to Ireland for a fight provisionally scheduled for July 7 at the National Stadium in Dublin.

“Since I just fought in March, I am physically ready for May 18,” Duddy said. “No matter who it is I fight, it’s going to be an exciting fight. I’m hoping to leave New York with a bang and leave the people anticipating my comeback.”

Duddy’s promoter, Irish Ropes Promotions president Eddie McLoughlin, said: “This will be John’s last fight in the United States for the immediate future, at least until the end of this year or the beginning of 2008.

“We’ve been inundated with requests for him to fight in Europe. His popularity continues to grow and some say he’s as popular over there as he is here. We’re going to see about that.

“John’s tentatively scheduled to fight July 7 at the National Stadium. He will be the sole draw on that card and we’re going to see how fast he sells out there. We’ll gauge his performance and popularity off that fight and then discuss a possible European title fight in the late summer or early autumn in Ireland.”

Irish Ropes has lined up an under card for the Duddy May 18 show including 2004 Irish National Senior amateur champion Henry Coyle, the Mayo middleweight who made his professional debut in support of the Duddy-Bonsante fight.

Multiple European and Irish amateur champ Aloysius ‘Alo’ Kelly, a light heavyweight from Westmeath based in Queens, is scheduled to make his pro debut on the card.