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 Square Garden, “Ireland’s” John Duddy returns to the ring May 18, headlining a card against an opponent to be determined at the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan.

Click for larger image © Maureen Shea Irish Ropes Promotions

The Derry, Northern Ireland-native Duddy (19-0, 15 KOs), rated No. 9 by the WBA and No. 13 by the IBF, is the reigning IBA World and WBC Continental Americas middleweight champion, who now fights out of Queens (NY).

Also scheduled to fight on the May 18th show against TBA is the latest Polish knockout sensation, newly crowned New York State middleweight title-holder Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak (14-0, 9 KOs), fighting out of Mt. Arlington, New Jersey; unbeaten Brooklyn middleweight Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (10-0, 9 KOs), 2004 Irish National Senior amateur champion Henry Coyle (1-0, 1 KO), from County Mayo in Ireland; multiple European and Irish amateur champ Aloysius “Alo” Kelly, the light heavyweight from Westmeath, Ireland now living in Queens; WBA top rated lightweight Maureen “The Real Million Dollar Baby” Shea (10-0, 5 KOs), from the Bronx; New York City super flyweight Eileen Olszewski (2-0, 0 KOs). All fighters are subject to change.

“This will be John’s last fight in the United States for the immediate future, at least until the end of this year or the beginning of 2008,” Irish Ropes Promotions president Eddie McLoughlin said. “We’ve been inundated with requests for him to fight in Europe. His popularity continues to grow and some say he’s as popular over there as he is here. We’re going to see about that. John’s tentatively scheduled to fight July 7 at the National Stadium in Ireland. He will be the sole draw on that card and we’re going to see how fast he sells out there. We’ll gauge his performance and popularity off that fight and then discuss a possible European title fight in the late summer or early fall in Ireland.”

Tickets, ranging between $50.00 and $300.00, are available by calling Irish Ropes Promotions at 212.835.1582 or TicketMaster at 212.307.7171. All TicketMaster orders are subject to a TicketMaster service charge.

For more information about the May 18th show call Irish Ropes Promotions or go on line to www.irishropes.com.

NYC PRESSER QUOTES…

John Duddy: “Good to see “Alo’ joining us on this card. Since I just fought in March, I am physically ready for May 18th. No matter who it is (opponent), it’s going to be an exciting fight. I’m excited to fight in the Beacon Theatre, where the likes of Willie Nelson have preformed, and I hope to raise the volume of the fans like those musicians have. Hoping to leave New York with a bang and leave the people anticipating my comeback.”

Pawel Wolak: “I am going to put in the hard work for this fight. Expect fireworks come 5/18 because I’m gonna’ bring “em.”

Maureen Shea: “Now being ranked No. 1 by the WBA, I am looking forward to putting on a great performance and representing not only my Irish- Mexican roots, but the Bronx and New York, to the best of my ability. Thank you again to Irish Ropes for all they have done for me in my career.”

Aloysius Kelly: “I feel so honored to be on this card with John Duddy, coming over from Ireland. Thank you to Irish Ropes for this opportunity.”

Eileen Olszewski: “Thank you to Irish Ropes for this opportunity. I am really excited to be fighting in my neighborhood (Upper West Side). I’m planning to put on a great show for New York and for one day I’m going to be Irish….. O’lszewski.”