By T.K. Stewart
It has been announced that "Ireland's" John Duddy will face Sam "The Punching Policeman" Hill at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City on November 21st.
Duddy has a record of 25-0 (17KOs) and was last seen in the ring in June in Boston, Mass. when he played the drum on Charlie Howe's head and beat him unanimously over ten rounds. It was a fight that this writer witnessed from ringside.
The opponent in Hill, who is 38 years old, can only be seen as a safety first pick that should enable Duddy to get in some rounds. Hill is durable, but he is not a dangerous puncher.
Hill, who has a record of 17-9-1 (10)KO's, fought last month against Peter Quillin in Manchester, N.H and he was soundly thrashed before losing by referee's stoppage in the 10th and final round. That was also a fight that this writer witnessed from ringside.
Duddy's initial targeted opponent was Michi Munoz, but he apparently played hardball in the money department. Munoz is a middleweight of little repute with a 21-2 (14)KO's record who fights out of Topeka, Kansas and has built his record on the mid-western circuit.
Duddy began training at Pat Burns' training camp in Miami, Florida last Friday and is scheduled to begin with sparring partners before the end of this week. Duddy entered camp at about 170 pounds.
The fight has been contracted for 157 pounds, which is about where Duddy weighed for his June bout with Howe when he scaled 158 1/2.
The plan, as long as Duddy makes it by Hill, is for him to face Ronald Hearns who is also undefeated with a record of 20-0 (16KOs).
Hearns is fighting Paul Clavette next week on the undercard of the Lucian Bute vs. Librado Andrade title fight in Montreal.
Assuming that both Hearns and Duddy win it has been confirmed by Irish Ropes that they will fight on January 17th on HBO Boxing After Dark. If it happens, the fight will take place at the WaMu Theatre in Madison Square Garden.
The plan for Duddy is to steer toward a title shot at 154 pounds. I spoke with Pat Burns and he confirmed that's where he would like to see Duddy make his future as he feels Duddy's frame and size is better suited for life as a junior middleweight.
Duddy is ranked #2 by the WBC at 154 but is ranked #2 by the WBO at 160 and #7 by the IBF also at 160.
E-mail: tkstewartboxing@gmail.com
