February 19, 2008

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    VIDEOS FROM JOHN DUDDY’S

                  PUBLIC WORKOUT TODAY

     

     

     

    by Chet Jelinski-    I was there at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, NYC this afternoon to see John Duddy’s public workout……………………….

     

              duddy training001

     

     

     

    Here are 15 videos of The Derry Destroyer hard at work prepping for Saturday night’s bout at Madison Square Garden.

     

     

              a2

    Someone affiliated with John was handing out these CARDS which were hand-autographed by him…..pictured are FRONT and BACK.

     

              a1

    John and me……..

     

     

     

    IF YOU CAN’T SEE VIDEOS, OPEN “COMMENTS” SECTION!

     

     

     

February 16, 2008

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    OPEN WORKOUT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – Tuesday, February 19, at 12:30 PM at the Hard Rock Cafe-Times Square located at: 1501 Broadway (corner of 43rd Street).  Tel: 212-343-3355
    Duddy 1:00



    FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE – MEDIA ONLY - Wednesday, February 20, at 12 Noon, lunch will be served. Madison Square Garden located at:  2 Pennsylvania Plaza   The WaMu Theatre lobby entrance.



    UNDERCARD WEIGH-IN – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – Friday, February 22, fighters arrive at 1:00 PM and are on the scale at 2:30 PM, in the Affinia Manhattan Hotel Ballroom. 

     


     

January 30, 2008

January 21, 2008

  • Duddy taking another bite out of Big Apple

    Duddy-Smichet on Feb. 23 Klitschko-Ibragimov card at MSG

     
    NEW YORK (January 21, 2008) – World middleweight title contender “Ireland’s” John Duddy is looking forward to fighting again in his adopted New York City home for the first time since last May, when he battles tough Tunisian brawler Walid “Tempete de Sable” Smichet (17-3-1, 13 KOs) in the 10-round, off-TV co-feature on the February 23rd heavyweight championship unification show headlined by IBF king Wladimir Klitschko and WBO title-holder Sultan Ibragimov at Madison Square Garden.
     
    Presently rated No. 3 by the WBO and WBC, as well as No. 6 and No. 11 by the WBA and IBF, respectively, Duddy (23-0, 17 KOs) also is ranked No. 10 in The Ring magazine.
     
    Duddy, who has fought 11 times in the Big Apple, including five in Madison Square Garden, is training in North Carolina with his head trainer, Don Turner. The unbeaten, charismatic Irishman is coming off of three consecutive fights in Ireland, including his most notable victory to date in December, winning a 10-round decision against former 2-time world title challenger Howard Eastman.
     
    “It’s my homecoming,” an excited Duddy said from training camp about his NYC fight versus Smichet. “It was great fighting in Ireland the past year, but I’m really looking forward to being back where I started my pro career with all those great fans. There’s a lot of interest in my career back home now and a lot of people are flying in to watch this fight. Most importantly, though, I think I’ve shown improvement in my last three fights, although a lot was just simple things we worked on. Don has me boxing like I did before (as an amateur).
     
    “After the Howard Eastman fight, I’m confident about getting in the ring with any middleweight in the world. It wasn’t perfect, but I showed I had a good chin – I always knew that – used my head more and never took a step backwards. I’m much more comfortable. It was a step closer to me getting to the top and I’m happy with my progress.”
     
    Smichet, fighting out of Montreal, has a portfolio that features a win by 10th round knockout of previously unbeaten (17-0) Matt O’Brien for the Canadian Middleweight Interim Title, as well as an eight-round draw against Donny McCrary of The Contender III fame
    .
    Undefeated New York City middleweights “Mean” Joe Greene (17-0) and Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (15-0) are on the Klitschko-Ibragimov card. The main event is the only bout to air on HBO.
     
    Tickets, priced at $1,000.00, $600.00, $300.00, $200.00 and $100.00, are on sale at the following locations: Manhattan: Demsey’s, 36th W. 33rd (212.629.9899); Queens: Elaine’s Deli, 65 Pl. Maspeth, Fiddlers Irish Pub, 65 Pl. Maspeth, Connelly’s Corner, Grand Ave. Maspeth, Hill Tap Bar, Grand Ave. Maspeth, Doyle’s Corner, Broadway Astoria; Woodside: Starting Gate, Sean Og’s, Saints & Sinners, Gaslight; Sunnyside: McGuinnesses, Maggie Mays; Yonkers: Bronx Heritage, McLean Ave. (914.766.7532); Brooklyn: Gleason’s Gym, 75 Front St. (718.797.2872); Pearl River: Gildea’s Bar & Restaurant (845.735.2564), South Bound Café (845.735.2903); Long Island: Poor House, Hemstead Turnpike (516.859.8780).
     
    For more information go to www.irishropes.com or call Mark Cahoun (917.939.5199), Pat Nee (917.279.7796), Paul McLoughlin (347.219.1530), Jimmy Kaneary (718.594.0861), Paddy Phealon (516.859.8780) and Jerry Quinn (in Boston – 617.733.4535). 
     
    -IR-

January 13, 2008

  • John Duddy has next fight set at Garden

    Duddy-Smichet Feb. 23 in NYC
     
    NEW YORK (January 13, 2008) – Unbeaten world middleweight title contender “Ireland’s” John Duddy has returned from his native Emerald Isle to his adopted Big Apple home in Queens to fight in New York City for the first time since last May, taking on Walid “Temperate de Sable” Smichet (17-3-1, 13 KOs) in the 10-round, off-TV co-feature February 23 on the heavyweight champion unification show, headlined by IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko against WBO title-holder Sultan Ibragimov, at Madison Square Garden.
     
    Closing in on a world title fight in 2008, Duddy (23-0, 17 KOs) is rated No. 3 by the WBO and WBC, as well as No. 6 and No. 11 by the WBA and IBF, respectively, and No. 10 in The Ring magazine.
    Duddy is coming off of three consecutive fights in Ireland, highlighted by his most notable victory to date in December, when he won a 10-round decision against former 2-time world title challenger Howard Eastman.
     
    Smichet is a tough Tunisian fighting out of Montreal. His most notable win was a 10th round knockout of previously unbeaten (17-0) Matt O’Brien for the Canadian Middleweight Interim Title. Smichet also fought an eight-round draw against Donny McCrary of The Contender III fame.
     
    “We’re coming down the stretch for the ultimate prize in boxing,” Duddy’s promoter (Irish Ropes president) Eddie McLoughlin said, “the middleweight championship of the world, maybe right after this fight. John hasn’t fought in New York City since May and, as great as it was for John to fight in Ireland, there’s something special about him fighting in New York City. He cut his teeth with New York City fans and they immediately warmed to him. They’re the real deal. I know John’s excited to be fighting back at Madison Square Garden. Duddy’s fight won’t be televised so the only way to see him fight February 23rd is to buy a ticket and be there in Madison Square Garden.” 
     
    Undefeated New York City middleweights “Mean” Joe Greene (17-0) and Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (15-0) are on the Klitschko-Ibragimov card.
     
    Tickets, priced at $1,000.00, $600.00, $300.00, $200.00 and $100.00, are on sale at the following locations: Manhattan: Demsey’s, 36th W. 33rd (212.629.9899); Queens: Elaine’s Deli, 65 Pl. Maspeth, Fiddlers Irish Pub, 65 Pl. Maspeth, Connelly’s Corner, Grand Ave. Maspeth, Hill Tap Bar, Grand Ave. Maspeth, Doyle’s Corner, Broadway Astoria; Woodside: Starting Gate, Sean Og’s, Saints & Sinners, Gaslight; Sunnyside: McGuinnesses, Maggie Mays; Yonkers: Bronx Heritage, McLean Ave. (914.766.7532); Brooklyn: Gleason’s Gym, 75 Front St. (718.797.2872); Pearl River: Gildea’s Bar & Restaurant (845.735.2564), South Bound Café (845.735.2903); Long Island: Poor House, Hemstead Turnpike (516.859.8780).
     
    For more information go to www.irishropes.com or call Mark Cahoun (917.939.5199), Pat Nee (917.279.7796), Paul McLoughlin (347.219.1530), Jimmy Kaneary (718.594.0861), Paddy Phealon (516.859.8780) and Jerry Quinn (in Boston – 617.733.4535). 
     

December 9, 2007

December 7, 2007

  • John Duddy vs. Howard Eastman

     I assumed in my post below that everyone reading this is from U.S./N.Y.C. area. The time for the fight in N.Y. would be 4:00 p.m. I am sure the fight is on tv in Ireland. For the rest of the world you can watch via the internet- see post below and adjust time accordingly.

December 5, 2007

  • How to watch the John Duddy fight.

     

    John Duddy is fighting on Saturday live from Ireland. This fight is not on tv or PPV. BUT it is available via the internet. Go to  http://www.rte.ie/  which is an Irish broadcaster. Scan the site looking for live tv at 4:00p.m. eastern time, 12/8/07. The main event is expected around 5:30 but don’t qoute me, just stay near your computer.

        If John wins this fight against Howard Eastman, he may get a title shot next. John is currently 22-0.

    Ricky Hatton is also fighting on Saturday against Floyd Mayweather. This fight is in Vegas available on PPV for $54.95.  Why not just make it an even $55.00?

November 28, 2007

  • Turner plans on Duddy being his lucky No. 21
     
    NEW YORK (November 28, 2007) – Veteran trainer Don Turner believes WBO No. 2 rated middleweight contender “Ireland’s” John Duddy (22-0, 17 KOs) will become his  21st world champion. First, though, Duddy has to get past former European champion and 2-time world title challenger Howard “The Battersea Bomber” Eastman (42-5, 35 KOs) on December 8 in the 10-round main event at King’s Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
     
    Duddy, who hails from Derry (N. Ireland) but now lives in Queens (New York City), has been training in North Carolina under the guidance of Turner, whose former world champions include Evander Holyfield, Larry Holmes, Aaron Pryor and Mike McCallum.
     
    Turner has been in Duddy’s corner for his last two fights, victories by TKO against Alessio Furlan and Prince Arron, both in Dublin. Duddy’s improvement under Turner has become more evident, fight-by-fight, and figures to even more prominent against Eastman.
     
    “John’s not getting hit as much,” Turner said about the area where John has improved the most. “He was a boxer before, as an amateur, but he got off track. It’s not like he didn’t do it (box) before he started getting hit. He’s gone back to doing what he did as an amateur boxer. Unless a fighter is a great one-punch guy who opponents fear, not getting hit is a matter of balance and leverage, as well as how his feet are planted and how to turn properly. The best way not to get hit is to hit a guy and put him on the defensive. That way he can’t counter punch. The great Ray Robinson never worked on defense because his offense was his defense. Now, John’s not getting hit as much.”
     
    In 47 pro fights, Eastman has been only stopped only once, by powerful Edison Miranda. His other losses have been to world champions Bernard Hopkins, Arthur Abraham and William Joppy, as well as world title contender Wayne Elcock by close 12-round decision (116-113-, 115-113, 115-114) in his last fight on September 28.
     
    “I know Howard Eastman and losing two world title shots is all that’s kept him from making real money,” Turner continued. “He’s going to bring his best to get back up there. Eastman is going to try to keep moving forward. John has to be aggressive, throwcombinations, and push Eastman back. That’s what John does best.
     
    “If John Duddy takes care of himself, keeps his weight down, and behaves like a fighter should, he has the potential to be a world champion but it’s all up to him. I’ve had 20 world champions and John’s going to be my 21st.”
     
    Duddy is on the verge of a major world title shot in 2008, provided he defeats his toughest opponent to date, Eastman. The popular Irishman also is rated No. 4 by the WBC, No. 7 by the WBA and No. 13 by the IBF.
     
    “I have a good working relationship with Don Turner,” Duddy noted. “I’ve really enjoyed working with Don. I’ve learned a lot. I’m looking forward to fighting Howard Eastman, who is a dangerous customer. He has a great record, good experience and has been in against some of the best middleweights of his era. Hopefully, after fighting Eastman, the doors will be open for me to fight one of the top middleweights for the world title. But all I’m focused on right now is fighting Eastman and showing everybody how much I’ve improved training with Don.”
     
    For more information about Irish Ropes Promotions or John Duddy go to www.irishropes.com.
     
    -IR-

November 13, 2007

  • John Duddy vs. Howard Eastman

    Duddy_Eastman

    Duddy takes on Eastman Dec. 8 in N. Ireland

    NEW YORK (November 13, 2007) – Pro boxing is all about risk and reward. Taking chances is what prospects have to do in order to become legitimate contenders, which is why WBO rated No. 2 middleweight “Ireland’s” John Duddy (22-0, 17 KOs), fresh off of his explosive win by second-round TKO of Prince Arron in Dublin, is fighting former European champion and 2-time world title challenger Howard “The Battersea Bomber” Eastman (42-5, 35 KOs) on December 8 in the 10-round main event at King’s Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

    Duddy, who hails from Derry (N. Ireland) but now lives in Queens (New York City), will be fighting in Northern Ireland for the first time as a professional. He is at training camp preparing for his most difficult challenge with head trainer Don Turner in North Carolina.

    “This is a learning curve for John,” John’s promoter Eddie McLouglin, president of Irish Ropes Promotions, explained the decision for Duddy to fight Eastman. “Since we got involved with John, our goal wasn’t just to get in a position to fight for a world title, but to win it. There’s an element of danger in every fight. Northern Ireland people are among the most knowledgeable boxing fans that respect a good show and will turn out for John at King’s Hall like they did for Barry McGuigan, Wayne McCullough, Dave “Boy” McAuley and Brian Magee. They respect a good fight but will not come for just any show with John in it. We have north of 5,000 seats to fill and I suspect all will be filled with John fighting Eastman.”


    Eastman has been only stopped once, by powerful Edison Miranda, in 47 fights. His other losses have been to world champions Bernard Hopkins, Arthur Abraham and William Joppy, as well as world title contender Wayne Elcock by close 12-round decision (116-113-, 115-113, 115-114) in his last fight on September 28.

    “To see John fight is like watching a fancy sports car capable of hitting 150 miles per hour, but traveling only 80,” McLoughlin said. “He hasn’t been tested to the fullest by any of the opponents he’s fought lately, although, no disrespect to Arron, the last fight two good opponents fell out. John’s showed improvement since he started working with Don Turner (last two fights). Eastman is going to ask questions of John. He’s been a gatekeeper of the middleweight division, not just in Europe but the world, for 10 years.

    (More…..)

    2 – Duddy-Eastman

    He will be John’s toughest opponent to date and we expect Eastman to bring out the best in John Duddy.”

    For more information about Irish Ropes Promotions or John Duddy go to www.irishropes.com.