By Michael Marley
Hibernians who are historians and boxing fans might correct me on this but I doubt there's ever been an Irish middleweight championship fight held in America.
Derry lad Irish John Duddy and Limerick boy Irish Andy Lee may change all that at Madison Square Garden sometime in late January, according to Lee handler Emanuel Steward.
"I think we can draw 10,000 with this all-Irish fight between Andy and John," Steward said on Saturday. "We're working with a new outfit called 360 Boxing and we want to go into the Garden. That's where this fight belongs in New York.
"I think it could be something like the Arturo Gatti-Micky Ward bouts. These two have that same kind of chemistry. It will be a very intense fight and the fans, especially the Irish ones, will really be into it."
Duddy, age 31, is a tall middleweight who stands 5-11 but lefthander Lee is a freakish 6-2 in height.
The 26 year old Lee owns a 24-1 record with 18 knockouts. Duddy is 29-2 with the same number of knockouts.
Lee would be a betting favorite but don't understimate the Irish pride of Duddy who always comes to fight.
"It's a good fight and a popular attraction," Steward said. "I think we can get it done. I will tell you what I would be more than happy to have the beer concession that night."
For the record, Manny's preferred adult beverage is red wine.
For this promotion, maybe the Kronk Goldfather will switch to frothy Guinness.
Michael Marley is the national boxing examiner for examiner.com. To read more stories by Michael Marley, Click Here
