19.03.07 – By John Way: This weekend, two of boxing’s hottest prospects triumphed in impressive fashion as “Irish” John Duddy and Giovanni Lorenzo both scored wins over solid competition on the same card. Duddy managed a unanimous decision over tough but limited contender Anthony Bonsante, while Lorenzo looked especially sharp, stopping Robert Kamya in three short rounds. A year ago when Duddy was a wicked hitting wrecking ball, a fight between these two would have been tabbed a mismatch.
But in light of the Irishmen’s struggles in his last two fights, and Lorenzo’s recent improvement, this match has become practically even-money. Speaking of money, everyone involved in this fight would stand to earn a very pretty penny if Irish Ropes Promotions steps up and signs the contract. So why not? Even if Duddy has looked limited in his wins over Bonsante and Yory Boy Campas, he still has crunching power and an unlimited supply of grit, which is more than enough to succeed, with proper application. Irish Ropes Promotions realized this at the beginning of his career, and has done a commendable job in maneuvering him thus far.
After a positively sensation first round TKO win over Lenord Pierre on ESPN in his first televised fight, Duddy has kept his momentum going by beaten a solid variety of journeyman before facing off against Bonsante, who clearly represented the toughest test of his career. Easy wins over journeymen like Wilmer Mejia, Alfredo Cuevas, and Patrick Thompson helped to raise his profile, and, more importantly, his box office appeal.
Boxing is always looking for another superstar to bring to fans to the sport, and even if Duddy lacks the overall ability to become the next Oscar De La Hoya, his power and likeability promises fame at least on the level of Micky Ward. Also, appearing as the headliner of so many fight cards will provide him with an unanticipated competitive edge in composure. After so much pressure early in his career, the psychological strain of a world championship fight won’t be as much a mountain for him to climb as it is for other fighters.
On the other hand, Giovanni Lorenzo remains anonymous outside hardcore boxing circles. But everyone familiar with his past fights will explain loud and clear why he could very well be a top ten contender before the year is out. A first rate speed demon with some serious crunch in his punch, he commands respect on the basis of his skills, if not his accomplishments. A Dominican native, he has graciously accepted the praise of American boxing fans, and his well-spoken, even-tempered demeanor is sure to be a hit as he starts to get air time on the major fight networks.
Indeed, praise is something Lorenzo should get used to in the years to come. Drawing comparisons with the great rock and roll super group Cream, he is known for his wild and wooly feats in his live performances. Much like the legendary power trio, Lorenzo is a constant innovator, always experimenting with punching angles and other factors. When he’s not potshoting his opponents from long range he is a menacing, swaggering stalker, using lethal impromptu combination punching to come out on top. So who has faster hands: Eric Clapton or Lorenzo? In his seven round war with fellow prospect, Archek Termeliksatian, Lorenzo stood in the trenches with his Armenian foe, negating his own crucial advantages in hand and foot speed. As result, he caught punch after punch full gong before cranking up the volume and forcing an eventual surrender from Termeliksatian, much to the delight of the crowd.
After being caught hard in the early goings of his 2006 fight with Byron Mackie, he employed a similar plan before knocking the Canadian out in the 6th round. He has also whipped Dennis Sharpe and Clarence Taylor. But the win over Kamya revealed crucial newfound maturity in Lorenzo’s approach to the sweet science. In a fight that should have represented the toughest test of his career by far, he boxed crisply when he could, and slugged when he needed to, before stopping his tough opponent with an accumulation of hard punches late in the third round. It was thrilling exhibition of speed, skill, and power. Boxing writers have been looking for the perfect man to bring out the best in these two prospects. We’ve found the solution! The style of each
man compliments that of the other: Lorenzo would jump in with riveting combinations from the outside, fighting in spurts while Duddy would apply relentless, rocked-chinned aggression, coming in behind sinking body clouts. Who would win such a fight is anyone’s guess, so let’s sign up Duddy versus Lorenzo on ShoBox for May 2007!
Comments and question are welcome below.