February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Astorga, a puncher with a 14-3-1 ledger that includes nine wins via KO, will be coming down from the super middleweight division where he’s campaigned lately. He fights out of Texas.
“He’s 14-3 and that’s all I know,” said Duddy, who at 27-1 [17 KOs] is the more experienced man. “I’m looking forward to next year.”
Astorga is intended to be the final test before the Derry middleweight squares off with the undefeated Chavez [41-0-1, 30 KOs], whose father is one of the greatest prize-fighters of the modern era.
There’s speculation that the Chavez match, the biggest in Duddy’s career, could happen in March on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s next mega-fight, possibly against the gifted Floyd Mayweather.
As usual, Duddy refused to look past Astorga, who has a loss to Ronald Hearns, the son of Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns.
“Hopefully, that’s what I’d like to see happen,” he said of facing Chavez after Astorga. “In the meantime, I’ll keep my head down and keep working.”
He’s been doing just that in the gym since his last bout, an eight-round unanimous points decision over Michi Munoz at the Garden last October.
Tickets for Duddy-Astorga will be available after Christmas, said Barney Moore, a member of the Duddy camp.
SHEA READY
Maureen Shea is locked and loaded for her ten-round WBA interim super bantamweight title match with Jenna “Cowgirl” Shiver at the Manhattan Center [34th St. between Eighth & Ninth Ave.] this Thursday night [Dec. 3].
“Everything’s good and I feel really great,” Shea [13-2] said last week.
It will be her first fight with noted trainer Tommy Brooks in her corner and she talked of a plan they’ve devised to defeat Shiver [9-4-1, 2 KOs].
“I’ve been working on it and gotten some great sparring,” She remarked, without disclosing their strategy. “I’m going to stay loose and relaxed.”
Breaking down Shiver’s style, Shea noted how the 24 year-old Tampa, Fl., resident loves to attack.
“She comes forward, she comes to fight and uses her jab,” Shea, who’s four years old, said.
For ticket information, call Luigi Olcese at (914) 469.0430 or Deanna Huaman at (917) 577.1022.
ORMOND SPARKLES
In his first fight in four months, Dublin transplant Steve Ormond scored an impressive 93-second first round KO over Andrew Costa in Crossville, Tenn.
The lightweight prospect, who improved to 6-0 with two KOs, is penciled in for an appearance at BB King’s Blues Club & Grill in Times Square on December 16.
“He looked great and knocked the guy down three times,” manager Joey Winters said of his charge. He caught him with a left hook to the chin and starched him. The guy was tough. He wasn’t the most skilful but he was tough.” Winters said it was the best he’d seen Ormond look, a fact he attributed to new trainer Joey Gamache, the former world super featherweight and lightweight champion who’s also working with Andy Lee.
“He’ll be champion of the world,” Winters predicted. “He’s a delightful guy.”
Gamache echoed Winters’ confidence in Ormond, who’s 26 and a former Irish amateur teammate of Lee’s, calling him a “well kept secret.”
He compared him to Irish great Barry McGuigan.
“The future is very bright for Steve. He’s a terrific kid. He has a ton of talent and he’s all pro,” the trainer remarked.
Prior to the win over Costa, Ormond’s last bout was a six round decision over Israel Suarez on Long Island, last July.