By: Jason Sardelis: June 28th,The Castle in Boston, Massachusetts: Before a partisan Irish crowd, in an atmosphere similar to his hometown Hammerstein Ballroom, “Irish” John Duddy 25-0, 17 Ko’s remained undefeated whipping Charles Howe 17-5-2, 9 Ko’s. Duddy now trained by former Jermain Taylor trainer Pat Burns used a sharp jab (a Taylor trademark) to set up and disguise his clean combination punching..
Duddy used his jab to the head and body to back up Howe establishing his control early in the opening round. In the round two looking much stronger Duddy used a multiple jab then landed a heavy left hook hurting Howe who held on to finish the round. Howe came into the fight having been stopped in the first round by Joey Gilbert of Contender fame in September 2007.
In round three, Duddy stayed tight and focused landing a strong hook to the body while burning a constant double jab. Duddy continued his patient assault in the fourth, then in round five the Irishman landed a straight right hand rocking Howe backing him to the ropes where he closed the round with a clean four punch combination. Duddy’s speed, patience and dominant jab led the Irishman to hurting Howe again in rounds seven and eight.
In the ninth round an accidental clash of heads opened a one inch cut outside the cut prone Duddy’s right eye bringing to everyone’s attention of the absence of East Coast premiere cutman “Big” George Mitchell. Mitchell a constant in Duddy’s corner till tonight put Duddy back together allowing him to finish and beat Walid Smichet in February. The cut did not become a factor as Duddy was in total control shutting out Howe 100-90 times three.
Considering the competition Duddy impressed with a new sharp multiple jab, a cool sense of calm and rhythm. We don’t think he’s done but certainly moving in the right direction. Some more angles, head movement and picking that left hand up will help the Irishman reaching the Pavlik sweepstakes.
The undercard: Two-time National amateur champion Edwin Rodriguez remained undefeated slugging out a unanimous six-round decision over tough Hector Hernandez 1-3-2, 4 Ko’s. Rodriguez landed the heavier punches on a determined Hernandez who landed his share of clean shots.The judges cards read 59-55; 60-54; 60-54.
Unbeaten Canadian Olympian Donny “Daniel” Orr 13-0, 5 Ko’s dropped rugged Mexican Roberto “El Viejo” Valenzuela 44-38-2, 37 Ko’s with a blasting right uppercut in round two putting him on the defensive then went on to score an eight-round unanimous decision 80-71 times three.
Light punching Irish cruiserweight Mark Clancy remained unbeaten winning a six round unanimous decision beating overmatched Salah Zabian 6-11, 4 Ko’s 60-54; 60-54; 60-54, giving him his fifth straight loss.
Junior welterweight Anthony Accardi moved to 2-0, 1 Ko winning a four round spit decision 39-37, 39-37, 37-39, over southpaw Broderick Antoine now 2-6-1, 1Ko.