It’s a pace the light middleweight out of Arklow hopes to maintain in the paid ranks as he returns to action against Cory Jones in a four-rounder at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, N.Y., this Friday night.
“If everything goes to plan, I’ll (fight) five to six times before Christmas,” Moore said from his Maspeth home last Sunday. “My next fight is already planned,” he added, referring to a double bill with John Duddy scheduled for September 17 in Mansfield, Mass.
That doesn’t mean that the 27 year-old prospect is overlooking Jones, a former New York Golden Gloves titlist whose only pro contest was nullified after he reportedly failed a drug test.
“This should be a tough fight,” Moore predicted. “It will be tougher than my debut. Jones had a fairly good amateur career.”
He’s been studying videotapes of Jones and knows more about the New Yorker than he did Gabriel Garcia, the Ecuadorian he starched in two rounds on his debut at the Manhattan Center on August 4, but expects the same outcome.
“He’s fairly flashy in the first round but seems to get tired after that,” Moore observed, based on his analysis of the tapes from Jones’ amateur days.
Other details he picked up? Jones, who fights from an orthodox stance, likes to switch to southpaw, and although a sharp enough puncher, he is not a heavy hitter.
Moore declared himself ready to go, a fact confirmed by trainer Harry Keitt.
“He’s ready — definitely ready,” Keitt affirmed. “He’s been training hard and looking forward to the fight.”
Needless to say, the trainer expects his charge to prevail against Jones whom he’s known for years.
“I’ve known him since he was a kid. If he won the Gloves that doesn’t mean anything,” Keitt said.
“I won’t take no fight that I think will hurt (Moore) right away. James’ got a lot of experience. He can punch, he can box, he’s strong. I think he’s the complete boxer. All he gotta do is do his job.”
Ticket information for Friday’s show is available from Martin McLoughlin at (917) 682-6525.
MAYHEM IN MANSFIELD
John Duddy, his notoriety spreading nationally with performances like last month’s ESPN televised knockout of Patrick Coleman, takes his dynamite fists on the road again when he headlines the “Mayhem in Mansfield” card in Massachusetts on September 17.
Moore will also appear on the show, promoted by New England Ringside Promotions in association with Irish Ropes and Cedric Kushner Productions, if, as expected, he emerges triumphant and unscathed on Friday night.
It will be Duddy’s first bout in New England, where Irish fans have been clamoring to see him fight.
“I get three to four phones every day from Boston area fans on when John’s fighting there,” said Duddy handler Eddie McLoughlin.
“It’s long overdue,” the Derry-born prizefighter said in a statement.
“I’m really excited about fighting there. Boston has a large Irish contingent. I’m looking forward to having a lot of fans there and, hopefully, leaving with a lot more than I have right now.
“I’m going to put on a show so they know who I am. They’re going to see an all out explosion in the ring.”
Tickets for the Mansfield card are priced at $100 (VIP/ringside), $55 (reserved), and $35 for general admission. They are available online at www.ticketweb.com.
DISAPPOINTED DANNY
Danny McDermott found no takers at the Hanover Marriott in Whippany, New Jersey, last Friday where he was supposed to fight.
None of four opponents suggested for the 2-0 Jersey City lightweight came through, including Kansas City’s Kurt Walker who was turned down by the state’s boxing commission.
“It was disappointing. But I’m looking to fight in a couple of weeks time,” McDermott said.