21.10.07 – By Ted Sares: Aside from beating an experienced fighter in Freddie Cuevas and getting by Yori Boy Campas, what has John Duddy done to deserve a shot at Kelly Pavlik? Sure, he is a popular fighter with great looks and lots of charisma who can sell out large venues, but it should take more than that to earn a big payday with the likes of the “Ghost.”
Dues
Even Peter Manfredo, 28-4, has paid his dues and so has Alan Green, 25-1. After losing badly to Edison Miranda, Green came back from serious health issues to take out a very rugged Darrell Woods in one.
Both Manfredo and Green have bounced back with victories. More importantly, they have lost to solid fighters and have beaten many as well. A comparison of Manfredo’s opponents to those of Duddy’s is very revealing. Green destroyed “contender” favorite Jaidon Codrington in violent fashion. How would Duddy do against Codrington?
Who has Duddy beaten? A shop worn Anthony Bonsante? A Prince from Lancashire by the name of Arron? The legendary Alessio Furlan who has lost five of his last seven? Julio Jean who has lost 6 in a row? Patrick Thompson, now 11-10, was the first to demystify Duddy’s “super” punching power? Jean affirmed the demystification. Uruguayan Noe Tulio Gonzalez Alcoba had to pull out of his fight with Duddy due to a detached retina, but who is Alcoba in the first place? Heck, he is the guy who beat the immortal Santos Tomas Villalba, 3-8, three times.
John Francis Duddy is a great kid with a great personality and a humble persona, but that is no substitute for beating 4-round fighter Shelby Pudwill for something called the vacant World Boxing Council Continental Americas middleweight title. In short, he has not paid enough dues to earn a fight with Pavlik.
What next?
So what does he have to do? How about fighting someone like Felix Sturm or Alan Green and he if gets by them, step up to the likes of, Librado Andrade, Michele Piccirillo or Jamie Moore. Also lurking at an even higher level are Jermaine Taylor, Anthony Mundine, Carl Froch, Jeff Lacy, and Jean Pascal. But if he really wants to show he is ready for the best, try on Lucian Bute for size.
Then, and only then, should he be entitled to the rewards that await at the end of a financial rainbow called Kelly Pavlik. And please, do not fight Jim Rock.
Style: His style is conventional and orthodox using sharp jabs to set up heavy-handed rights, but leaving himself open in the process. While improving, Duddy’s defense is his Achilles heel and against someone like a determined and tenacious Pavlik, would prove fatal in short order.
Bottom line: Ireland’s John Duddy has a great record against moderate to poor opposition. He draws large crowds and has been well-managed and well-hyped, but he has not earned the entitlement that so many recent articles have ascribed to him. Clearly, there are too many others who are more entitled.