Duddy set to make 2006 a real knock-out

RISING Irish middleweight star John Duddy has rounded off 2005 in perfect style and is destined for greater things in 2006, his manager believes.

Mayo man Eddie McLoughlin has guided 26-year-old Duddy to an unblemished start to life in the professional ranks from his Irish Ropes gym on Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York. The Derryman notched up his 14th win in as many fights last Thursday night when he earned a technical knockout win over Wilmer Mejia, a late replacement for his Dominican compatriot Emiliano Cayetano, after three rounds of their bout at the Hard Rock Live Arena in Hollywood, Florida.

It was his 13th victory by stoppage, explosive form that has seen Duddy attract a loyal following of Irish expatriates in New York, up to 300 of whom followed their hero south for the fight.