February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Duddy’s spectacular display wowed the 1,952 standing room only crowd, including 160-pound Irish titleholder Matt Macklin, who was at ringside.
The Derry Destroyer entered the ring to a thunderous ovation and if Mackie, a 31 year-old former Canadian champion, was not unnerved by the deafening Duddy support, the crowd favorite’s opening salvo surely got to him.
Wound up by the expectant crowd, Duddy went after his man from the first bell. Mackie unmistakably felt the Irish hero’s power and went on the defensive, covering up expertly on the ropes and trying to sneak in quick counters.
But he couldn’t avoid Duddy’s thunder for long. Late in the opening round, Duddy caught the retreating Canadian with a left and right. The second punch landed just above the forehead and sent Mackie down for an eight-count.
Duddy, who’s 26, was all over Mackie in the third round, banging away at openings in his defense in a calculated bid to break him down.
Mackie took some big shots in the round, including several hooks to the ribs without capitulating. However, he was decked once more by a right uppercut midway through the third stanza and when Duddy stepped up the pressure in the fourth, the end was imminent.
Forced to go toe-to-toe at the beginning of the round, Mackie, 25-11 with eight KOs going into the match, caught a left hook and kissed the canvas for the third time. He staggered up at the count of six, only to be flattened again by a left hook to the body.
His corner had seen enough and mercifully threw in the towel.
“He was tough and durable and had a big heart,” the unmarked Duddy (13-0, 12 KOs) complimented Mackie.
“I caught him with a couple of body shots and hurt him but he was covering up very well,” he added. “I took my time and waited for openings. It was a good decision his corner stopped it.”
Duddy said he felt great and never took any clean punches.
Trainer Harry Keitt was over the moon after Duddy’s victory capped a brilliant night for his two Irish Ropes charges.
“The fight was spectacular. I thought the guy (Mackie) was brave,” said Keitt. “He was no pushover and John did his thing. It was a great night.”
MATT PROPS
Matt Macklin, a power hitter himself with his 15-1 (11 KOs) record, had props for Duddy after watching the knockout specialist at work in person.
“He was really impressive,” the now Philadelphia-based fighter observed. “He’s obviously got power in both hands and looked a bit tense in the first round, but once he settled down he was devastating. It was an impressive win.”
DUDDY SCHEDULE
Next up for Duddy is a road trip to Florida for a December 15 bout in Florida. That will be followed by a February 4 jaunt to Las Vegas and then the Derryman’s first title shot at Madison Square Garden on March 16, St. Patrick’s Day eve.
“It will be for a title,” Irish Ropes boss Eddie McLoughlin confirmed, without specifying which.
Odds are that it could be for the vacant New York State crown or one of the regional Americas titles offered by major sanctioning bodies.