By Harley Burke
Email: harleyburke12@yahoo.com
For John Duddy its simple, win tonight and get the title shot he has been wanting for since the age of ten. But this was also the case back in February of 2008 when Duddy, undefeated at the time was promised a crack at then champion Kelly Pavlik. His opponent that night was Canadian journeymen Walid Smichet (17-3-3). Duddy did win the fight but not decisively, taking to many unnecessary punches which caused three big cuts on the Irishmans face. The cuts needed surgery causing John to take some extra time off, leading Pavlik to go in a separate direction.
This time Duddy’s opponent will be Julio Cesar Chavez Jr (40-0-1). Hence the two letters at the end, many have criticized Julio for not resembling his father Mexican Icon Julio Cesar Chavez. Don’t let his record fool you though having never faced a top ten ranked opponent, the same cant be said for Duddy but we’ve all been witness to his pure heart and determination. For Julio, the same cant be said. When a Mexican and Irish fighter who don’t mind a nice scrap looking to prove themselves usually their is only one outcome-WAR.
As an Irishman living in New York, I’ve personally attended five of Duddy’s fights. From his lackluster win in Dallas, to his wars in the mecca of boxing- Madison Square Garden, I’ve seen it all. But what I have yet to see from the Derry Destroyer is a career defining win. Especially in the past few years, when all we have been seeing is poor performance after poor performance, but he still somehow manages to get the W.
On April 24, 2009, an undefeated Duddy was set to face the rugged Billy Lyell, a step up in competition indeed, but also a stepping stone in Johns journey to a title. It was everything but that and it was visible from the opening bell. Lyell is no Sugar Ray Robinson, but his output of punches were enough to give Duddy trouble. Duddy was handed his first loss that night and it may have changed him mentally. Since the Lyell fight it seems as if John is afraid to exchange punches with his opponents, perhaps thinking that’s why he lost to Lyell. Duddy has won 3 fights since that loss. with two of the three being disappointments.
To make it all worse, Chavez Jr. has teamed up with Freddie Roach for this fight, arguably the best trainer in boxing history. Hopefully this will not phase Duddy, who knows with a loss could take him years to get another title shot. Fighting in front of a huge Mexican crowd in San Antonio, Texas, Duddy has a huge task upon him.
What he does have is a rock solid chin and the heart of a lion.
Will this be enough to pull out a victory?
That’s what we’ll be asking ourselves tonight as Duddy and Chavez make there way to the ring at Latin Fury 15
