Pride of Derry ready to rumble

RISING Irish middleweight boxing star John Duddy will feel right at home when he steps into the ring at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan tonight backed by a sell-out crowd of Irish expatriates.

The big-hitting Derryman, now a resident of Queens, New York, is looking to maintain his unblemished professional record with a 13th consecutive win when he takes on experienced Canadian Bryon Mackie with enthusiastic backing from his followers.

"That this is a sell-out for the first time at the Hammerstein is no surprise to me with John Duddy as the main event on the card," promoter Cedric Kushner said.