February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is quoted by boxingfanhouse.com as saying Duddy-Chavez could be the co-feature on Manny Pacquiao’s next fight, should the Filipino megastar defeat Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas this Saturday. Pacquiao would be matched against Juan Manuel Marquez — whom he’s met twice before, drawing once and winning the rematch – at Cowboys Stadium in the Dallas area.
“This would be my dream if Pacquiao wins,” Arum said. “I would think that a fight with Marquez, coupled with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. against [John] Duddy would be a blockbuster in Cowboys Stadium, particularly given the huge Hispanic population in that area.”
Chavez, the son of the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez, must, however, clear one hurdle on the Pacquiao-Cotto undercard before he thinks of fighting Duddy. The undefeated [40-0-1, 30 KOs] junior middleweight will square off with the durable but light hitting Troy Rowland [25-2, 7 KOs] over ten rounds.
It was hoped by his brain trust that Duddy [27-1, 17 KOs], a world ranked middleweight, would warm up for the Chavez fight with a bout in Cancun next month.
But word from his handlers last weekend was that the trip to the Mexican resort had fallen through and they are now in the process of looking for a “keep busy” fight elsewhere before the New Year.
Duddy, who’s training in New York, is coming off an eight round points win over Michi Munoz at Madison Square Garden last month.
LEE DATE
In Limerick this Saturday, Andy Lee, Ireland’s other world rated middleweight, faces another stern test of his credentials against French and European Union titlist Affif Belghechame at the University Sports Arena.
Victory will keep the now New York-based Lee [19-1, 14 KOs] on course for a world title shot, while defeat against an opponent that possesses modest power [19-3-1, 4 KOs] could be a devastating set-back.
AUTUMN CLASSIC
Local super middleweight “Irish” Joey McCreedy, junior welterweight Danny O’Connor and light heavyweight Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith, Jr. are among the pugilists billed to fight on the Irish-themed “Autumn Classic” card in Lincoln, Rhode Island, on November 20.
The show is presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic entertainment and Sports, Inc. [CES], at the Twin River Event Center. Call (401) 724-2253/2254 or visit www.cesboxing.com for more information.