Duddy yet to land Pavlik contest

John Duddy's management have denied reports that the Derry boxer has already signed a deal to fight world middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik. Eddie McLoughlin told BBC Sport that there is "unfinished business" in the negotiations with Pavlik's management. Earlier reports said Duddy would fight Pavlik in Atlantic City on 26 January. Duddy will fight England's Prince Arron in Dublin on Saturday and, as of now, the Derryman's bout scheduled for Belfast on 8 December remains on. "Our plans for John to fight in Belfast in December have not changed as of right now," said McLoughlin on Tuesday evening. "We have been in negotiations with Top Rank but there is still some unfinished business to take care of before we can continue and that involves the Pavlik-Jermaine Taylor rematch.

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"Until that's resolved and money is agreed upon, we have no deal for John Duddy to fight Kelly Pavlik. "We also have to see how John comes out of Saturday night's fight. Nothing is set in stone." Pavlik's promoter Bob Arum said earlier this month that Duddy was in the frame to fight the American. Pavlik claimed the WBC middleweight title by stopping Jermaine Taylor last month. Irishman Duddy has claimed 21 straight wins as a professional but he will be moving up significantly in class if he signs a deal to box Pavlik. However, the Derry native is a big draw in North America and his presence on a world title bill would help to sell lots of tickets. A big purse would also go a long way to securing Duddy's financial future.

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On Monday, Duddy was landed with a second change of opponent for Saturday's contest at the National Stadium in Dublin after Noe Tulio Gonzalez Alcoba was forced out of the bout. A pre-fight medical on Monday revealed that the Uruguayan is suffering from a detached retina and his career is now said to be in major doubt. Unbeaten Duddy's new opponent is English boxer Prince Arron who has claimed 10 wins from 12 fights. Arron has claimed he is going to "shock the world" by defeating Duddy on Saturday night. "This is an unbelievable chance for me and I'm so up for this fight. "I know all about Duddy but I wouldn't have taken the fight if I didn't think I could pull it off," added the 19-year-old.