• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Irish America

Irish America

        • Who We Are
          • About Us
          • Irish America Team
        • The Lists
          • Business 100
          • Hall of Fame
          • Health and Life Sciences 50
          • Wall Street 50
        • Highlights
          • History
          • In This Issue
          • Music
          • Politics
          • Sports
          • Travel
        • Columns
          • First Word
          • Hibernia
          • Quote Unquote
          • Slainte
          • Those we Lost
          • What are you like?
          • Wild Irish Women
          • Window on The Past
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • About This Magazine
    • Irish America Team
  • In This Issue
  • Hall of Fame
  • The Lists
    • Business 100
    • Hall of Fame
    • Health and Life Sciences 50
    • Wall Street 50
  • Archives
    • Magazine
    • Highlights
  • Travel
  • Events

John Duddy Wins Again

By Thomas Hauser, Contributor
August September 2005

August 1, 2005 by Leave a Comment

June 11 was a big night for the Irish in boxing. In Washington, D.C., journeyman Kevin McBride outlasted a fading Mike Tyson to put the final nail in Iron Mike’s career coffin. But Tyson-McBride was about the past. The future of boxing was on display at Madison Square Garden, where John Duddy of County Derry continued his climb through the middleweight ranks.

Duddy fought Patrick Thompson in an eight-round bout on the undercard of a title defense by World Boxing Organization 140-pound champion Miguel Cotto. Cotto is a hero in his native Puerto Rico and the fights were held on the eve of New York’s annual Puerto Rican Day Parade.

“I’ve got a lot of Irish fans here,” Duddy said at the final pre-fight press conference. “I hope, when the night is over, I’ll have a lot of Puerto Rican fans on my side as well.”

He did.

Duddy had built a record of nine wins with nine knockouts in nine fights. Thompson was his most difficult test as a pro, and John responded with his best performance to date.

Duddy arrived at the arena two hours before fight time and sat quietly in his dressing room. Neither he nor trainer Harry Keitt spoke as Keitt taped Duddy’s fists.

“The entire day of a fight, I’m in a zone,” Duddy said afterward. “I don’t like talking. I’m focusing on what has to be done. It’s like a dream, really. The world gets narrower and narrower until all I see is the ring and me and my opponent.”

When the taping was done, Duddy examined his fists the way a gunfighter in the old West might have examined his guns. Then he went out and won every minute of every round. All three judges scored the bout 80-72 in his favor.

“I don’t mind losing the knockout streak,” Duddy said when the fight was over. “You get more respect from people when you prove you can go the distance. I can go ten or twelve rounds in the gym, but I was glad to do it in a fight.”

Duddy still has flaws. He doesn’t move his head enough, which enabled Thompson to land lead right hands. He also stands upright and is disinclined to bend at the knees, which leaves him susceptible to left hooks. That’s part of what has led critics to contend that “Clan Duddy” is made up of amateurs. But Keitt, Irish Ropes promoter Eddie McLoughlin, and advisor Jim Borzeli just keep doing their job.

“Everything is good,” Duddy said after the fight. “I’m on track; I’ve gone eight rounds now; and I’ve won in Madison Square Garden.” ♦

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Highlights

News
Articles and stories from Irish America.....
MORE

Hibernia
News from Ireland and happenings in Irish America.....
MORE

Those We Lost
Remembering some of the great Irish Americans who have passed.....
MORE

Slainte!
Discover Irish ancestry, predilections, and recipes.....
MORE

Photo Album
Irish America readers share the stories of their ancestors....
MORE

More Articles

  • Niall O'Dowd with Loretta Brennan Glucksman (center), co-chair of the Glucksman Ireland House at NYU, and Niall's wife Debbie McGoldrick, the Editor of the Irish Voice at the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick dinner on March 16. Photo courtesy John Sanderson/AnnieWatt.comHow the Irish Famine Changed American History
    Niall O'Dowd, Irish America's publisher, was the guest of honor at the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick...
  • <b>Moores Creek Bridge: A small battle with huge implications</b>Moores Creek Bridge: A small battle with huge implications
    Small bands of Patriots and Loyalists who fought with fierce devotion were formed during the early ...
  • <b>Mick Moloney Remembered at Irish Arts Center</b>Mick Moloney Remembered at Irish Arts Center
    Mick Moloney, a legend in the history of Irish music, who passed away suddenly on July 30, 2022, wil...
  • <b>Meet the man who will lead the 2023 NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade</b>Meet the man who will lead the 2023 NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade
    Kevin J. Conway, the grand marshal of the 2023 New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade is the gre...

Footer

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Give a Gift
  • Newsletter
  • Customer Service

Additional

  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Terms of Use & Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · IrishAmerica Child Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in