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.

"This is all down to the popularity of this young man. He's what I call a KO artist and he's one of the most popular fighters to hit American shores in many a year."

The Derryman's record of 11 knockouts in 12 victories stands as testament to that but his respected trainer Harry Keitt, who works with him at the Irish Ropes gym in Queens, owned by Duddy's manager Eddie McLoughlin, believes his charge brings much more than punching power to the ring.

"John is not a one-round wonder," Keitt said. "He can do it all and he's ready. He's been training very hard and he takes nothing or nobody for granted. Being 12 & 0 means nothing to him, all that matters is his next fight and that's the way we train."

Duddy, aged 25, is raring to go against former Canadian champion Mackie, whose record stands at 25-11 with eight knockouts. Mackie is coming into the fight on the back of three straight wins.

"It's a great test for me," Duddy said. "I think every fight I have now represents a step up in opposition. Bryon Mackie will be a tough opponent but he'll bring the best out of me and I think it's going to be a good show.

"He's got a lot of experience, a lot of skills and he's very durable. He's fought a lot of tough guys and hopefully that will benefit my experience. I'm looking forward to the challenge and hopefully I can keep giving all the people that come to see me something to cheer about."

Duddy tops an impressive international bill that also features an IBO Junior Featherweight championship bout between Armando Guerrero and South African challenger Taklami Ndlovu, while Arklow light-middleweight James Moore (3-0, 2kos), an Irish Ropes stablemate of Duddy's, takes on Sweden's Manjie Conte (5-5, 3kos).

Meanwhile, WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison has promised to bring the curtain down on Nedal Hussein's career.

The warring pair came head to head in Glasgow yesterday ahead of tomorrow night's showdown at the Braehead Arena.

And the Cambuslang warrior had grim news for the tough-talking challenger, vowing to end the career of his second successive opponent after beating Michael Brodie.

"He doesn't seem very confident, talking about what he is doing after his retirement," said Harrison, who has defended the title eight times.

"I retired Michael Brodie with one punch and I see the same happening to my opponent here as well."

The 27-year-old Australian admits he will hang up his gloves if he fails to snatch the title from the Harrison's grasp.

"If I am unsuccessful on Saturday night I will give it up.

"I am not ready to be just an opponent for other fighters this is my last opportunity at a world title," said Hussein, who has a Scottish "spy" among his entourage.

The WBO have told Harrison's promoter Frank Warren , and Sycuan Ringside Promotions, which represents number one contender Joan Guzman, they must negotiate a mandatory world title showdown within 120 days from November 5.