Unbeaten Duddy arranges May bout

[IrishGym]

Unbeaten Irish middleweight John Duddy will aim for his 20th straight win when he faces American journeyman Elvin Ayala in New York on 18 May.

IBA champion Duddy has top-10 rankings with both the WBA and the WBO and he is being linked with a possible European title challenge in the summer.
The Derryman beat Anthony Bonsante in nine rounds in New York last month.
That bout took place at Madison Square Garden but the 18 May bout will be staged at the Beacon Theatre.
Ayala has claimed 16 wins and two defeats in his 18 career bouts. Finland's European champion Amin Asikainen defends his title against Germany's Sebastian Sylvester on 26 May and there are suggestions that the winner could box Duddy in Ireland in the late summer.

[King Koyle]

I heard this is John's last fight in the U.S. for a while

[Gareth Ivanovic]

I think this fight is going to be on ESPN. Either Wednesday or Friday Night fights. Thats cool because then we can see John before he goes off and fights in Europe for a while.

[bishop2006]

I heard this is John's last fight in the U.S. for a while

How come? I hope Andy Lee is on the undercard,hes amazing for his age and experience

[Gareth Ivanovic]

That would be awesome if Andy Lee was on the undercard. Especially if it is on ESPN. I heard that since John is a big draw in the U.S. They wanted to see how he could draw over in Europe. I hope he does well, but not to well where he doesn't come back, but I doubt that.

[IrishGym]

Hopefully John will fight in Ireland and then we can see him live over here.

Bernard Dunne went to the States and then came back here to stay.

I think John will return to the States though.

[JakeNDaBox]

Hopefully John will fight in Ireland and then we can see him live over here.

Bernard Dunne went to the States and then came back here to stay.

I think John will return to the States though.

Dunne went back to Ireland because he was struggling against mediocre stateside competition, or so the rumors went. Whatever the case, it seems to have helped him regain his confidence, though the shine has certainly been removed.

I'm wondering if Duddy's heading back abroad for the same reasons. I like watching Duddy fight, but I don't see any improvement whatsoever from, say two years ago, when he knocked out Lenord Pierre in a round on ESPN2.

I think Andy Lee would wipe the ring with him at this point, not to mention that Lee is in fact improving with each fight.

[IrishGym]

No doubting Lee is an excellent prospect.He's a better boxer than Duddy but I think it'd be a good fight.Duddy has more power so who knows who would win.

[HeartAttack]

Duddy better tuck his chin if he gets in the ring with Amin. The Fin woll definitely tell us a lot about whether Duddy is the real deal or not.