Pro boxing is all about risk and reward. Taking chances is what prospects have to do in order to become legitimate contenders, which is why WBO rated No. 2 middleweight “Ireland’s” John Duddy (22-0, 17 KOs), fresh off of his explosive win by second-round TKO of Prince Arron in Dublin, is fighting former European champion and 2-time world title challenger Howard “The Battersea Bomber” Eastman (42-5, 35 KOs) on December 8 in the 10-round main event at King’s Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland..
Duddy, who hails from Derry (N. Ireland) but now lives in Queens (New York City), will be fighting in Northern Ireland for the first time as a professional. He is at training camp preparing for his most difficult challenge with head trainer Don Turner in North Carolina.
“This is a learning curve for John,” John’s promoter Eddie McLouglin, president of Irish Ropes Promotions, explained the decision for Duddy to fight Eastman. “Since we got involved with John, our goal wasn’t just to get in a position to fight for a world title, but to win it. There’s an element of danger in every fight. Northern Ireland people are among the most knowledgeable boxing fans that respect a good show and will turn out for John at King’s Hall like they did for Barry McGuigan, Wayne McCullough, Dave “Boy” McAuley and Brian Magee. They respect a good fight but will not come for just any show with John in it. We have north of 5,000 seats to fill and I suspect all will be filled with John fighting Eastman.”
Eastman has been only stopped once, by powerful Edison Miranda, in 47 fights. His other losses have been to world champions Bernard Hopkins, Arthur Abraham and William Joppy, as well as world title contender Wayne Elcock by close 12-round decision (116-113-, 115-113, 115-114) in his last fight on September 28.
“To see John fight is like watching a fancy sports car capable of hitting 150 miles per hour, but traveling only 80,” McLoughlin said. “He hasn’t been tested to the fullest by any of the opponents he’s fought lately, although, no disrespect to Arron, the last fight two good opponents fell out. John’s showed improvement since he started working with Don Turner (last two fights). Eastman is going to ask questions of John. He’s been a gatekeeper of the middleweight division, not just in Europe but the world, for 10 years.
He will be John’s toughest opponent to date and we expect Eastman to bring out the best in John Duddy.”
For more information about Irish Ropes Promotions or John Duddy go to www.irishropes.com.