Middleweights Lee, Duddy Heading For Huge Irish Boxing Clash?

Andy Lee, WBA top ten middleweight world title contender wasted no time in taking care of business at the ‘Fight Night at the Horseshoe’ boxing series at the Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Indiana with a TKO 4th round stoppage win over veteran fighter Troy Lowry.

Lee entered the ring in superb condition and used his boxing skills and power to breakdown Lowry, targeting both the body and head of his opponent. In the fourth round Lee unleashed a vicious barrage of thundering punches forcing the fight to be stopped. Lee’s record moves to 24 w (18ko) 1l.

The Irish Kronk fighter is now gunning for an all Irish showdown with John Duddy, WBC # 9 ranked world title contender, in a duel that promises to pack any venue in Ireland or New York and most certainly will have every home in Ireland glued to their television screens.

Emanuel Steward, legendary Kronk boxing icon firmly believes an all Irish war between Andy Lee and John Duddy will be an Irish block buster event that will go down in Irish boxing history as the greatest fight ever to happen since Irish prize fighters Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney fought in the ‘ Battle of the Long Count’ world title clash on September 22, 1927 at Soldier Field, Chicago , IL .

Venues such as Madison Square Garden Theater, New York, UL Sports Arena, Limerick and the O2 Arena, Dublin have already been muted as perfect sites and backdrops for such a prestigious Irish boxing event.

Steward commented ‘There is a great appetite and interest amongst Irish boxing fans and boxing fans in general about a showdown between these two young talented fighters. Both fighters are ranked in the top 10 of the world ratings.’

‘It has all the ingredients for an epic and classic battle. Styles make fights and the contrasting styles of Lee and Duddy is very evident. Andy is a technical boxer who carries a lethal punch and John is a courageous ring warrior who likes a bloody war. Both fighters have plenty of heart and can fight in the trenches when the going gets tough, it would make an unbelievable fight. ’

Steward has been in contact with Craig Hamilton, Duddy’s manager and both are on the same page that this is an attractive fight for boxing fans, promoters and television executives and a fight that should happen sooner rather than later.

Over the last few years speculation at times has been at fever pitch about the prospect of a Lee/Duddy encounter, with the media and public viewing the fight as a major Irish sporting event and a historic sporting occasion.

Brian Peters Promotions made offers to both the Lee and Duddy camps last year to stage the fight in Limerick, Ireland on November 28, 2009. However for a variety of reasons the fight did not get signed.

Lee and Duddy are now ready to lace up and touch gloves and get the fight on and address the burning question – Who is the # 1 Irish Middleweight Fighter in the world today?

The charismatic and popular Irish fighters both have similar stories to tell in daring to step out of the home comfort zone and live out their dreams in pursuit of someday being crowned middleweight boxing champion of the world.

Each left Ireland ’s shores a number of years ago to seek fame and fortune in the world of professional boxing in the United States and were welcomed and embraced by the Irish Diaspora, with supporters in large numbers attending their fights.

Both fighters are now at crossroads in their careers, Lee is on a winning streak and moving in the direction of a world title challenge in 2011 and Duddy after losing to Julio Chavez Jr in June is looking for a fight that will bring him redemption and rejuvenate his world title prospects.

Lee commented ‘There has never been a better time for the fight. It is a fight were the stakes are stalked high and that neither fighter can afford to lose, a defining moment in our careers. It is an ‘Irish High Noon’ shootout, a winner takes all fight, where both fighters will be 100% fired up for battle with their reputations and careers on the line and with the winner taking home more than his fight purse.’

The countdown to a Lee/Duddy fight will definitely generate a lot of interest with boxing commentators and pundits debating and 2nd guessing what fight strategies are likely to be adapted by both fighters – will the come forward and pressure style of Duddy draw Lee into a brawl or will Lee’s ring craft and punching power be too much for Duddy and see him stopped for the first time in his career?

With both the Lee and Duddy camps interested in making and getting the fight on, Emanuel Steward is presently in discussions with promoters to make the fight a reality for boxing fans.

Steward commented ‘I am very excited about trying to make the fight; it has drama and edge written all over it. It will be a memorable fight for Irish boxing fans that will go down in Irish boxing history as a classic. I think for both men it’s a huge fight at this stage of their careers and I believe Andy will be the victor and this will result in him moving closer to a world title shot in 2011. As far as I’m concerned Andy is the best middleweight in the division. ’