By Jim Dower: Well, I knew it was going to happen sooner or later once he stepped up against some quality opposition. I just didn’t think that middleweight Billy Lyell (19-7, 3 KOs) was going to be the one to do it. Earlier tonight, Lyell shockingly defeated top middleweight contender John Duddy (26-1, 17 KOs) by a 10-round split decision at the Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey. The final judges’ scores were 96-94, 98-92 for Lyell, and 97-93 for Duddy.
John Duddy
Duddy vs. Lyell on Friday night
By Jim Dower: Unbeaten middleweight contender John Duddy (26-0, 17 KOs) will be returning to action tomorrow night against the light hitting journeyman Billy Lyell (18-7, 3 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round bout at the Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey. Duddy, 29, is staying busy while he waits for an eventual title shot against WBO holder Kelly Pavlik. At this point, Duddy is taking things easy and not about to take a risky fight against someone dangerous that could potentially mess up his plans.
News – Manfredo Wants Duddy
By Jim Dower: Fresh off a 7th round stoppage over journeyman Walid Smichet last weekend, super middleweight Peter Manfredo Jr. (32-6, 17 KOs) is hoping to get a shot at unbeaten middleweight contender John Duddy (26-0, 17 KOs) in the near future. If possible, Manfredo, 28, would like to fight two or three more times before facing Duddy. A win over Duddy would push Manfredo up into the middleweight rankings, where he plans on fighting in the future.
Does Chavez Jr. Deserve To Fight Pacquiao, De La Hoya or Duddy?
By Chris Williams: Having seen Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (39-0-1, 29 KOs) fight yet another handpicked opponent last weekend against Luciano Cuello (23-1, 10 KOs) in Tijuana, Mexico, I don’t see how Chavez Jr. deserves a fight against Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya or John Duddy. Chavez Jr., 23, struggled mightily with the non-top 15 ranked Cuello, having both his eyes swollen and struggling from the third round on.
Chavez Jr. Could be Facing Pacquiao, De La Hoya or Duddy in 2009
By Manuel Perez: Following Julio Cesar Chavez Jr’s 10-round unanimous decision tonight over Luciano Cuello at the Plaza Monumental Playa, in Tijuana, Mexico, Chavez Jr’s promoter Bob Arum made a shocking announcement when he said that he’s looking Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya and John Duddy as possible opponents for Chavez Jr. in 2009.
Duddy vs. Lyell on April 24th
By Chris Williams: Keeping up with his tradition of facing lower level opposition, light middleweight John Duddy (26-0, 17 KOs) will be facing journeyman Billy Lyell (18-7, 3 KOs) on April 24th at the Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey. Duddy, 29, is reaching the critical point in his six year career where if things go right for him, he may get a title shot against WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik later in the year.
Fury Blasts Haye; Barker Challenges Duddy; Barney-McIntosh – News
Up and coming British boxer Tyson Fury reckons he’ll be a bigger success at heavyweight than fellow Brit David Haye. Fury faces Russia’s Daniel Peret at the Norwich Showground, Norwich, in only his third professional fight this Saturday.
In an interview on this Thursday’s Steve Bunce Boxing Hour on Setanta Sports News Fury said that Haye stood no chance at heavyweight, calling the Hayemaker a “baby”. He said:
Is Duddy The Best Option For Pavlik?
By Jim Dower: More and more it appears that undefeated John Duddy (26-0, 17 KOs) will be getting a title shot against WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (35-1, 31 KOs) in the near future. Duddy did a commendable job in defeating Matt Vanda last Saturday night, winning most of the rounds quite easily using his jab to do the brunt of the work. It wasn’t particularly an eye-pleasing bout for the lack of action between the two fighters but given Duddy’s metamorphosis in fighting styles, it’s to be expected. Pavlik had an easy time defeating his opponent Marco Antonio Rubio by a 9th round stoppage.
The “New” John Duddy Outclasses Vanda
By Sean McDaniel: Showing a completely different look that used more boxing and jabs, undefeated middleweight John Duddy (26-0, 17 KOs) outclassed a slower more limited Matt Vanda (39-9, 22 KOs) by a 10-round unanimous decision on Saturday night on the undercard of Miguel Cotto vs. Michael Jennings at Madison Square Garden in New York. Duddy, 29, known for being a face first slugger who typically gets hit a lot while beating mostly limited competition, used mainly jabs to defeat Vanda on Saturday night.
Duddy Decisions Vanda – Is Pavlik Next?
By Jim Dower: Middleweight John Duddy (26-0, 17 KOs) survived a 10th round scare to defeat Matt Vanda (39-9, 22 KOs) by a 10-round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Madison Square Garden, in New York, New York. In winning the fight, Duddy showed that he’s clearly not ready for a fighter in the class of WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik, and unless Duddy is only concerned with getting a good paycheck at the expense of his health, he would be better off looking at working on his defense a little more.