Steward eyes All-Ireland showdown

AN historic world title fight involving two Irish boxers, John Duddy and Andy Lee, is now more “probability than possibility” according to the latter’s trainer, Emanuel Steward.

Both have their sights on world champion, Kelly Pavlik. Duddy is scheduled to challenge for the world title next year and should be claim the belt, Lee would be all set to challenge him.

“John Duddy is a little bit in front of me in terms of fights,” Lee said after Saturday night’s win. “He has a good chance against Pavlik. I am not the one talking about world title fights right now, though. ‘Manny’ (Steward) will know when it is right for me to take on a fight for a world title.”

But Steward suggested a fight involving Duddy was inevitable.

“I can see that fight taking place in Ireland and Brian (Peters) should be the man to promote it after what he has done for professional boxing in Ireland,” said Steward.

Steward added: “We watched John’s fight against Eastman. I thought John fought a good fight because Eastman is a very cagey, tricky guy. John has a big chance against Kelly (Pavlik) despite what people think. I know Kelly well. I know what he has. John has a much better chance than he believes himself.”

He said Ireland was becoming a huge force in boxing thanks to promoter Brian Peters.

“I have travelled a lot and from what I can see Ireland is becoming a powerful force,” he said. “A lot of it is due to this man here (Brian Peters) who is doing a great job of using Irish fighters and international fighters. Ireland is going to be the big force in boxing and a lot of guys are going to want to fight here. Brian Peters is going to be the guiding force behind it. He is a good man with a good business sense. He is doing a phenomenal job and he is treating everybody very good. He is catering for the Irish fighters but he is also working internationally.”

Brian Peters said the plan now is to have Lee boxing in Limerick on February 2 with some other Irish boxers on the undercard.