"Ireland's" John Duddy (16-0, 14 KOs) makes his first WBC Continental Americas middleweight title defense June 10 against veteran Freddy Cuevas (25-8-1, 17 KOs) in a 10-round bout on the Cotto-Malignaggi pay-per-view card at the famed Madison Square Garden.

The Irish middleweight sensation Duddy is now rated No. 13 by the World Boxing Association. He's coming off of a devastating first-round TKO of Shelby Pudwell on March 16 before a sold-out crowd of passionate Irish fans in The Theater at MSG. John's returning to the "big house" where he won an eight-round decision a year ago against Patrick Thompson.

"I keep working hard and at the end of the day," Duddy said, "this is what I want to do and where I want to be. I'm very comfortable fighting at home in Madison Square Garden. There won't be an Irishman (Kevin McBride) fighting Mike Tyson this time (McBride stopped Tyson in Washington D.C. on the same night Duddy defeated Thompson.) Hopefully this fight will be another step forward. The more fans, the merrier, and I am really looking forward to it.

"I'm honored to be fighting on the Cotto-Malignaggi card. Paulie's a good friend. The two of us is are from New York City (Malignaggi in Brooklyn, Derry; Ireland- native Duddy lives in Queens) and train together. His fans are mine; my friends are his. They'll join together and support us June 10. I respect him so much because of his work ethic. He works so hard and talk's
the talk. He's living a dream. He's always said that he wants to fight for a world title at Madison Square Garden. Hopefully, Paulie will take care of business and win the title."

Upset-minded Cuevas, fighting out of Chicago, has victories against former world champion Charles Murray (TKO7), Wilfredo Rivera for the USBO light middleweight title in 2002, and previously unbeaten (9-0) Sam Hill. Freddy took current undisputed world middleweight champion Jermain Taylor 12 rounds and has been in against former world champ Kassim Ouma and top challenger Kingsley Ikeke.

"Cuevas is a tough, seasoned pro," Duddy noted. "He's a good fighter and a step-up for me. That's the way every one of my fights is going to be. He took Jermain Taylor the distance and he's beaten some good opponents."

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