World title fight looms for Duddy after thriller

JOHN DUDDY insisted that a world title fight next year was out of his hands, but it’s looming after his thrilling victory over the former European, British and Commonwealth middleweight champion, Howard Eastman, before a frenzied full house at The Kings Hall in Belfast on Saturday night.

Referee Sean Russell awarded a 96-94 decision to the 28-year-old Derry middleweight who lost just one round after allowing the experienced Battersea Bomber to take control of the fifth before regaining control of the ring with a battling performance.

It was always going to be a close affair with Duddy taking a huge risk in view of the fact that he has the promise of world title fight against the newly crowned WBC and WBO champion Kelly Pavlik pending the outcome of his rematch with Jermain Turner.