By David Janke: On Saturday night at Hunky Dory’s in Dublin, Irish middleweight John Duddy defeated Prince Arron from Manchester in two short rounds. Duddy’s promoter, Eddie McLaughlin, expressed hope that Pavlik-Duddy will come together in January or February, but confirmed that it hinges on Jermain Taylor’s decision whether or not to exercise his rematch clause with Kelly Pavlik. (The rematch is to take place above the middleweight limit of 160 at a catch weight of 166; Taylor’s decision is due by the end of the month..)
Duddy came out swinging in the first round and the two fighters traded punches in the center of the ring. 19 year old Arron managed to show poise in the ring early on, and landed a crisp combination on Duddy about two minutes into the round. However, a stiff double jab from Duddy followed by a left hook floored Arron late in the first round. Arron stayed on one knee until the count of seven then rose to his feet to resume fighting. Duddy immediately went in for the knock out, throwing looping punches designed to end the fight. Arron was able to make it to the bell and into the second round.
The second round was all Duddy as the challenger seemed to focus more on avoiding Duddy’s punches as opposed to landing his own. Arron was unsteady on his feet after a few body punches from Duddy visibly shook him. A nice left to the body followed by a right cross up top from Duddy sent Arron to the canvas; just seconds later, another double jab followed by a left hook sent Arron down for the second time in the round, and the referee wisely called a halt to the fight. John Duddy, “The Derry Destroyer,” is now one step closer to a championship fight with Kelly Pavlik next year.