By Mark Vester
At the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, unknown middleweight contender Billy Lyell (19-7, 3 KOs) won a split decision over previously undefeated "Irish" John Duddy (26-1, 17 KOs). The scores were 96-94, 98-92 for Lyell and 97-93 for Duddy.
Duddy did not bring his A-game, sensing an easy fight and the lack of focus cost him some major paydays down the road. Duddy was being groomed for a 2009 encounter with either WBO/IBF middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik or Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. There was always a question mark on top of Duddy's career. There were many who saw him as a B-level fighter. After being outworked by a journeyman, one has to wonder if his career will ever recover.
Duddy was not alone. Junior middleweight Gabriel Rosado (11-3, 6 KOs) won a ten round split decision over former junior middleweight champion Kassim Ouma (26-6-1, 16 KOs). The scores were 97-93 and 96-94 for Rosado, and 96-94 for Ouma. Kassim really needs to sit down and ask himself if wants to continue his career. After losing four of his last five fights, it might be time to hang them up.
It didn't stop there, super lightweight Henry Lundy (13-0-1, 7 KOs) stopped Jason Cintron (10-1, 3 KOs) in the fifth round. Jason is the brother of former champion Kermit Cintron.
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