John Duddy: “It’s going to be a great night the 16th of March in Madison Square Garden, the arena of all arenas. I thank Anthony (they shook hands). I respect him in and out of the ring. He has a hard lifestyle (working nights and single father of two children). We’re hungry fighters. (Yory Boy) Campas asked me a lot of questions (in Duddy’s last fight) and I answered some questions. Anthony will be asking me questions about what I can do in the ring. It’s going to be a tremendous fight. We both have tremendous heart and hunger. God willing, you’ll see me put it all on the line like I did in my last fight. It’s going to be the night before St. Patrick’s Day and a lot of Irish will be at the fight or watching on pay per view. It’s (fan support) been tremendous since I arrived in New York from Irish fans in places like New York and Boston. I’m going to Florida for six weeks of training so Harry (Keitt) can beat me up some more. I’m looking forward to this fight. I’m hungry and eager to put on a tremendous show. It’s going to be a night to remember for the Irish, boxing fans and Irish Ropes. There’s going to be an explosion March 16th.”

Harry Keitt (Duddy’s trainer): “I was at Anthony’s fight in Minnesota (Jan. 20th victory against Matt Vanda). I know he’s coming to bring it. We’re training hard to be at our best. We have two good guys going against each other. We’ll work hard to get a “W.’ We’ve come too far to go backwards. Michael Jackson’s the only one doing the moonwalk.”

Anthony Bonsante: “I’m happy to be in New York. I’ve dreamed of fighting in Madison Square Garden. I’m ready. I know there will be a huge Irish crowd but I’m coming to enjoy this opportunity. He’s the IBA World and WBC Continental Americas champion, I’m the IBA Americas champion. He hits like a mule. It’s going to be a great fight. I flew in today for this and I have to be back (Minnesota) for work tonight at 10 PM (Anthony is a production supervisor at a KMart warehouse).”

Lisa Broch (Bonsante’s trainer): “I’m privileged and honored to be here. Few females are in this position. I’ve been with Anthony Bonsante for seven years. He works hard and we’re looking forward to this fight.”

Maureen Shea: “I’m taking care of business. I’m truly blessed and honored to be fighting on an Irish Ropes show for the second year in a row at The Garden and on a John Duddy undercard. It’s my dad’s 66th birthday and, God willing, I’ll give him another win (as a present). I’m looking forward to putting on a great performance.”

Event: “Erin Go Brawl”

Date & Venue: March 16 @ The Theater in Madison Square Garden in New York,
NY

Promoter: Irish Ropes Promotions

Television: Broadcast live in North America on cable and satellite pay-per-view starting at 9 PM/ET, 6 PM/PT. The event is being produced and distributed for pay-per-view by Integrated Sports and will be available in more than 50-million homes in North America via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network in the USA, as well as Viewer’s Choice in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.

Main Event: “Ireland’s” John Duddy (18-0, 15 KOs), Queens, NY via Derry, N. Ireland vs. Anthony “Bullet” Bonsante (29-8-3, 17 KOs), Shakopee, MN, 12 rounds, IBA World & WBC Continenal Americas Middleweight Championships. Co-Feature: TBA, 10 rounds.

Undercard Fighters: super featherweight Maureen “The Real Million Dollar Baby” Shea (8-0, 4 KOs, Bronx, NY; middleweight Andy Lee (6-0, 3 KOs), Detroit, MI via Limerick, Ireland; heavyweight James Clancy (9-0, 1 KO), Boston, MA via Clare, Ireland; cruiserweight Mark Clancy (6-0-1, 1 KO), Boston, MA via Clare, Ireland; welterweight Henry Coyle (pro debut), Chicago via Mayo, Ireland.

Tickets: $400.00, $300.00, $200.00, $150.00, $100.00, $75.00 and $50.00 at the Garden Box Office, thegarden.com, or by calling TicketMaster at 212.307.7171. All tickets include a $4.50 facility fee and TicketMaster orders are subject to TicketMaster service charge.

Information: Irish Ropes Promotions at 212.835.1582 or go on line to www.irishropes.com.

Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Boxing Quotes: John Duddy, Anthony Bonsante, Giovanni Lorenzo, Maureen Shea

  JOHN DUDDY: “I’ve worked very hard -- I’m sure Anthony has too – for this fight. We’re both hungry and eager to give fans what they want. I’m looking forward >
  
  

• Boxing Weigh-in: John Duddy - Anthony Bonsante

  

  John Duddy 159 ¾ lbs. Anthony Bonsante 159 ¼ lbs. (IBA World & WBC Continental Americas Middleweight Championships) Giovanni Lorenzo 160 lbs. Robert Kamya 160 lbs. Andy Lee >
  
  

• Boxing Irishman John Duddy Belts Out A Win Against Anthony Bonsante

  

  Click for larger image © Ed Mulholland / Irish Ropes At the Theater of Madison Square Garden last >
  
  

• Boxing Press Conference: Irish Ropes Promotions-John Duddy

  

  © Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing Irish Ropes Promotions hosted a press conference in New York City to announce their second show for 2007. “ Ireland ’s” John Duddy, >
  
  

• John Duddy returns to boxing ring May 18

  

  Beacon Theatre in Manhattan Fresh off of his 19th victory on March 16 against Anthony Bonsante before a sold-out house in The Theater at Madison >
  
  

• John Duddy Goes For First Boxing Title At Madison Square Garden March 16th

  Fan favorite Ireland's John Duddy (15-0, 13 KO's) will be back in the Big Apple spotlight and looking to roll off his 16th consecutive win when the middleweight battles >
  
  

• John Duddy Preparing For Boxing Showdown With Anthony Bonsante

  Nearly two weeks into training camp in Vero Beach, Florida, "Ireland's" John Duddy reports that everything is going great in preparation for his March 16 titles defense against The Contender >
  
  

• Boxing Info: Duddy-Bonsante headlines “Erin Go Brawl”

  IBA middleweight champion “Ireland’s” John Duddy defends his world title for the first time, as well as his WBC Continental Americas belt, March 16 against The Contender 1 star Anthony >
  
  

• Exclusive Boxing Interview: Maureen Shea

  

  In today's news, boxing is almost always put on the back burner. Most championship fights tend to happen without much coverage from many sports >
  
  

• John Duddy - Anthony Bonsante Headline The Sold Out “Erin Go Brawl”

  All tickets have been sold for the "Erin Go Brawl" pay-per-view show on March 16, featuring "Ireland's" John Duddy and Anthony "The Bullet" Bonsante, live from The Theater at Madison >
  
  

---