(JULY 15) CHICAGO–With the luck of the Irish, Bobby Hitz of Hitz Boxing Promotions found a four leaf clover when Match Maker Jim Borzell contacted him about introducing Duddy to Chicago’s strong Irish community.
Jr. middleweight contender John “IRISH” Duddy (10-0, 9 KO’s), who’s good looking, soft-spoken, quick and exciting, took a chance relocating to the US when he began his professional career in 2003. Hometown of County of Derry, Northern Ireland, at 5’11, 160-pounds, Duddy is a non-stop puncher. His popularity is evident and growing with each match. “I never knew how lucky I was to be Irish till I came to America.” Said Duddy.
Promoted by Irish Ropes, Managed by McLoughlin Brothers and Trained by Harry Keitt, in 2004 Duddy didn’t know if his boxing career was finished or if he’d ever return to the US. He was forced to take a seven-month hiatus in 2004 because of Visa complications and was mentally reawakened when he returned to the city of New York.
Duddy will face the glory again as he takes on Pat Coleman (29-11, 20 KO’s) at Chicago’s All State Arena, Friday July 22nd at 8pm, ESPN2.
His biggest fight to date was against Leonord Pierre (16-0) on March 18, 2005, Duddy took him down in a minute twenty-three outside New York.
Included in the action, heavyweight Malachy Farrell (9-0 7 KO’s), who is also Irish-American and once in training for the Chicago Police Academy, Managed by Mike Joyce, Trained by Marty McGarry – Farrell will be fighting Giuseppe Kidd (3-0 2 KO’s).
Also featuring welterweight Female Lois Theobalb (14-0 0) and super bantamweight, Armenian, Artyom Sismonyan (36-3 0) and Jr. middleweight Rudy Cisneros (4-1 4 KO’s) and welterweight and Nelson Romine 4-1.
Irish sensation John Duddy hits Chicago July 20 vs. Patrick Coleman in headliner
NEW YORK CITY (July 8, 2005) – Undefeated Irish middleweight John Duddy (10-0, 9 KOs) faces veteran Patrick Coleman (29-11, 20 KOs) July 20 in the eight-round main event of a Bobby Hitz-promoted show at 115 Bourbon St. in Chicago.
Derry, Ireland native Duddy, now fighting out of Queens (NY), has quickly become one of the most exciting prospects in boxing. “I’m looking forward to fighting in Chicago for the first time,” he said. “I have some friends that I fought with in Ireland who are living in Chicago, so I’m sure I’ll receive a good reception. Coleman is an experienced fighter who has 29 wins. I’ve trained as hard as ever for this fight and hopefully this fight will help keep me moving up the ladder.”
Coleman holds victories against two former world champions, Saoul Mamby and Jose Antonio Rivera, and he’s also fought the likes of Buddy McGirt, Teddy Reid and Vitali Kopitko.
Duddy is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision (80-72 on all three cards) June 11 against Patrick Thompson at Madison Square Garden. “I’m glad my first fight to go the distance was at Madison Square Garden with all those people there to see that I’m not just a bull, but a boxer-puncher. He (Thompson) fought a smart fight and he took some good shots. As much as I may spar eight or 10 rounds in the gym, I needed to confirm that I could go eight rounds in a fight. I finished so strong that I was happier than if I’d won by first-round knockout.”