Irish Ropes Promotions has closed its boxing gym in Far Rockaway and opened a new office directly across the street from Madison Square Garden at 1 Ten Plaza on the 36th floor.

Irish Ropes promotes one of the hottest fighters in the world, newly crowned IBA World middleweight title-holder "Ireland's" John Duddy, rated No. 6 by the WBO and No. 10 by the WBA.

Irish Ropes Gym opened in 1998 to provide youths in the Far Rockaway community with more positive choices in life, as well as give members an opportunity to follow their dreams. The gym, however, recently was closed due to permit problems with the town.

Due to the closing of its gym as well as decisions to promote a maximum of two boxing shows a year and not sign additional fighters in the immediate future, Irish Ropes has decided to concentrate 100-percent on Duddy's career and amicably part ways with its boxing director, Jim Borzell.

"Jim Borzell is one of the best matchmakers in boxing," Irish Ropes Promotions president Eddie McLoughlin explained. "He's a dear friend who I'll still call upon for advice about John's opponents, but there's no longer enough of a workload to justify having a director of boxing. We aren't going to be signing other fighters for a while and Irish Ropes will promote one, maybe two shows a year at the most. The gym's closing changed everything.

"There's no animosity between Jim and I. There just isn't enough work left. I couldn't recommend anybody better than Jim to any promoter or manager with a prospect to move. He did a great job with John. This separation doesn't reflect any dissatisfaction with Jim's work; it's strictly a business decision by Irish Ropes Promotions. We appreciate all that he's done for us."

McLoughlin says that Duddy should be back in action at the beginning of 2007. Contact Eddie McLoughlin at 212.835.1582 or irishropes@email.com for information about Irish Ropes or Duddy.

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