CHICAGO, IL (July 13, 2005)— 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.
To order tickets for the July 22 event, phone: (630) 787-6600 or Ticketmaster: (312) 559-1212 or at the All State Arena box office. Ticket prices are $100 VIP, $50 ringside reserved and $25 general admission. Doors open at 7:00pm, first bout at 8:00pm.