February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
“It’s a natural fight somewhere along the line,” Macklin said from his new base in Philadelphia, the day after watching Duddy drill Patrick Coleman on ESPN.
Trainer Billy Graham, the man behind English star Ricky Hatton’s recent world light welterweight title success, was more unequivocal.
“I’m not knocking Duddy, but Matt would take him. We’d take the fight tomorrow,” he said.
Both men were, however, effusive in their praise for the explosive punching Duddy’s performance against the seasoned Coleman.
“I thought he was quite good,” said Macklin, a 23 year-old who spots a 13-1 pro record with nine KOs. “He was winning anyway but it’s good to get a knockout. He’s a good solid fighter with good body shots.”
Graham described Duddy as well-schooled.
Interestingly enough, Macklin makes his U.S. debut at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City next Thursday against one of Duddy’s early victims, the heavy-hitting but glass-chinned Leo Laudat.
Now 7-8 with all seven victories coming via the short route, Laudat was Duddy’s third opponent and the only one to deck the Derry-born prospect so far. He was, however, blown out in one round.
Graham said Macklin was one of the most talented fighters he’s ever worked with. “Potentially, the sky is the limit,” he remarked.
DUDDY RETORT
Team Duddy refused to take the bait from Team Macklin.
Said chief handler Eddie McLoughlin: “It’s not out of the ball park that it could happen. But we’d like a couple of more fights.”
“It’s the first time I’ve heard of a champion call out a challenger,” Duddy noted. “I don’t think much of it. I wish him luck. It’s nice to see Irish boxers do well.”
Meanwhile, Duddy’s Irish Ropes stablemate James Moore also makes his debut on a card promoted by Lou DiBella and Damon Dash at the Manhattan Center on 34th Street and Eighth Avenue next Thursday.
McCULLOUGH VOW
Wayne McCullough has vowed to return to the ring again, if at least once, despite suffering back-to-back losses to WBC super bantamweight titlist Oscar Larios.
“I’m definitely going to fight again,” he said from his Las Vegas home. “I’ve always said that I would have my last fight in Ireland.”
He was speaking a week after Larios handed him the first TKO of his career.
McCullough (27-6, 18 KOs) insisted that the fight doctor had been too hasty in her decision to halt the contest after the 10th round, arguing that he was still in the match.
“I took bigger shots against Scott Harrison,” he argued, evoking his points loss to the Scottish WBO featherweight champion.
DANNY’S RETURN
Lightweight Danny McDermott, who fought in the main arena at Madison Square Garden in just his second pro contest, returns to the ring in Whippany, New Jersey on August 19. His opponent in the four-rounder at the Marriott Hotel will be announced later.
McDermott (2-0) beat Alex Matos over four rounds at the Garden, but suffered a nasty cut from a head-butt over his left eye that required 16 stitches.
“The cut’s healed and I’m ready to go,” declared the 25 year-old. “I’m feeling good and training twice a day.”