28.06.08 – By Peter Mark Heintzelman, Photos by Peter Mark Heintzelman: He’s back and he’s was in Boston today, for his weigh in at The Kells, in Allston, Massachusetts. Navy blue sport coat, jeans, and full of the Irish, he weighed in at a fit 158 ½ lbs, as he readies for his Saturday night fight against Charlie Howe (17-4-2, 9 KOʼs) at The Castle, in Boston.
With the Burns brothers in tow, Boston is in for one exciting fight card, as the new and reportedly improved Irishman , John Duddy (24-0-0, 17 KO’s) comes to make his mark in Boston, and across the middleweight world, from the City of Revolution!
EastSideBoxing caught up with John Duddy just before the official weigh in, for his final thoughts before Saturday’s brawl..
EastSideBoxing: So, John, How does it feel to be back in the ring after a four month layover?
Duddy: It feels great man, trainings been good. Looking forward to be back in Boston again.
EastSideBoxing: And, how exciting is it for you to be back in Boston for your return fight against Charlie Howe?
Duddy: Very exciting, Boston is a great city. I come here a lot even when I’m not fighting. And I’m looking forward to giving the fans something to cheer about.
EastSideBoxing: Are you all healed from your cuts and bruises you suffered at Madison Square Garden in February, and are you concerned at all about being cut again Saturday night?
Duddy: No, I’m not concerned, and hopefully the cuts are all healed and you can tell better, because you’re looking at me.
EastSideBoxing: I hear you’ve been training in Miami in preparation for tomorrow nights fights. How has training gone for you and who were you sparring with, in preparation for the fight?
Duddy: Training is going fantastic it’s the first time I am working with Pat Burns It was a tense regimen, and I really enjoyed it. I started learning something new again. The temperature and heat down there never seen to dissipate. Just looking forward to getting in the ring, and showing what they’ve been teaching me.
EastSideBoxing: John, who will be working your corner on Saturday night?
Duddy: The Burns brothers and a cut man, and, I don’t know, everyone in the arena who will be cheering for me.
EastSideBoxing: How does it feel to have a new trainer, the likes of Pat Burns, and what has his presence had on your training?
Duddy: The training has been very very good. I’ve ENJOYED IT. But at the end of the day, what matters, is what happens in the ring. So I’m looking forward to Saturday night to show everyone what Patrick has been showing me.
EastSideBoxing: As you know, your opponent, Charlie Howe (17-4-2, 9KOʼs) hasn’t fought since September 2007, when he lost the WBC USNBC middleweight title to Joey Gilbert, where Howe was knocked down twice in a first round TKO. He’s got something to prove against you on Saturday night. How do you describe his fight style, and what do you expect his strategy will be?
Duddy: I’m sure he comes to fight. No one comes to be a loser, and I’m looking forward to it.
EastSideBoxing: What is your prediction as to the outcome of your fight on Saturday night, and what can your Boston fans expect to see from you?
Duddy: An exciting, explosive fight, as usual. And it will be a roaring victory for me.
EastSideBoxing: You’ve had some tough opponents and fights in your undefeated twenty-four win professional career, fighting guys like Walid Smichet, Howard Eastman, Anthony Bonsante, and Luis Ramon Campas, just to name a few. That’s a lot of exposure for a 29 year old kid from Derry! What has been your most memorable fight to date, in your eyes, and why?
Duddy: As a professional fighter, their all memorable. I don’t know, my last fight was a very memorable experience, even though it wasn’t a great memory, I did learn from it. I love all of it, and I’m looking forward to this fight to add to my memories, so it will be an exciting experience. So I want my fans to get there and enjoy it.
EastSideBoxing: Anything else you would like to say to your fans at EastSideBoxing.com, John?
Duddy: Eastsideboxing, keep reading, keep cheering, and hopefully, I’ll keep smiling!
The fights are on this Saturday Night, June 28th, at The Castle at Park Plaza, located at 64 Arlington Street, Boston, MA, 02116. Tickets, priced $50 general admission, $75 and $100, may still be available by going on line at www.irishropes.com., and any remaining tickets will be sold at the door. Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET, first bell rings at 7:30 PM/ET! There is no scheduled television coverage.