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Undefeated middleweight contender John Duddy hopes to impress on Saturday when he faces Charles Howe in a non-title fight in Boston.
Despite a perfect record of 24 wins, including 17 knockouts, 'The Derry Destroyer' will be looking to put a disappointing effort behind him after the Northern Ireland fighter only managed to win a majority decision over Walid Smichet in February.
In the victory over Smichet, Duddy was cut badly over both eyes - forcing him to take off more time than he had planned.
Duddy, 29 last week, enters Saturday's fight in Boston with a new trainer in Pat Burns, who has replaced Don Turner.
The unimpressive showing against Smichet cost Duddy any chance at a title shot against WBC middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik, who has established himself as the best fighter in the division.
"I'm looking forward to doing much better than I did in my last fight," said Duddy, who is rated number two by the WBC and and WBO.
"I'm feeling great. My last few fights, people have said I looked smaller. Even my mother and father said that.
"I didn't really feel it but we've been working on me being stronger and I've enjoyed it."
Duddy also is looking forward to fighting in front of a large contingent of Irish fans at The Castle.
He added: "I've fought there and visited Boston many times. The atmosphere there is very friendly with so many of my family, friends and fans living there.
"The Castle is familiar territory for me, especially with so many Irish there. I'm looking to give them a good experience."
Howe goes into the fight on the back of the only loss in his last 14 fights, stretching back nearly eight years, to Joey Gilbert in September.
source - - - http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/250620...s-impress.html
Despite a perfect record of 24 wins, including 17 knockouts, 'The Derry Destroyer' will be looking to put a disappointing effort behind him after the Northern Ireland fighter only managed to win a majority decision over Walid Smichet in February.
In the victory over Smichet, Duddy was cut badly over both eyes - forcing him to take off more time than he had planned.
Duddy, 29 last week, enters Saturday's fight in Boston with a new trainer in Pat Burns, who has replaced Don Turner.
The unimpressive showing against Smichet cost Duddy any chance at a title shot against WBC middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik, who has established himself as the best fighter in the division.
"I'm looking forward to doing much better than I did in my last fight," said Duddy, who is rated number two by the WBC and and WBO.
"I'm feeling great. My last few fights, people have said I looked smaller. Even my mother and father said that.
"I didn't really feel it but we've been working on me being stronger and I've enjoyed it."
Duddy also is looking forward to fighting in front of a large contingent of Irish fans at The Castle.
He added: "I've fought there and visited Boston many times. The atmosphere there is very friendly with so many of my family, friends and fans living there.
"The Castle is familiar territory for me, especially with so many Irish there. I'm looking to give them a good experience."
Howe goes into the fight on the back of the only loss in his last 14 fights, stretching back nearly eight years, to Joey Gilbert in September.
source - - - http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/250620...s-impress.html