Newly crowned IBA World middleweight title-holder "Ireland's" John Duddy, rated No. 8 by the WBO and No. 10 by the WBA, will be presented the prestigious Rocky Marciano Award as a distinguished champion on December 3 at the Boxerama XXV awards luncheon, celebrating the 25th American Association for the Improvement of Boxing, Inc. (AAIB), in White Plains, New York.
The AAIB was co-founded in 1968 by the late, undefeated world heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano and Stephen B. Acunto, Dean of American Boxing Coaches and James J. Walker Award winner.
Ireland-native Duddy (18-0, 15 KOs), now fighting of out Queens (NY), won a unanimous 12-
round decision September 29 at The Theatre in Madison Square Garden against former world
champion Luis Ramon "Yori Boy" Campas (88-9) for the IBA World middleweight title.
"John Duddy reminds me of Jimmy 'Baby Face' McLarnin, the former world welterweight champion who I used to spar with," Acunta said. "I really admired the way John fought a former world champion (Campas) who had 96 fights to his 17.
The humble Duddy is, of course, greatly honored to be receiving the Marciano Award. "It's hard to describe in words how I feel about receiving this award," John remarked. "Two years ago, Bernard Hopkins received it. I need to do a lot more to live up to the standards of the Rocky Marciano Award winners. It's more than I could ever imagine.
"Rocky was a very exciting fighter. His fights against Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott were unbelievable. I've watched a lot of his fights on tape. Rocky Marciano will always be remembered as one of the greatest boxing champions of all-time."
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