Sweet Sixteen
By Neil McDaid

New York, NY - March 16, Madison Square Garden. Ireland’s John Duddy makes it sweet 16-0 and also claimed the vacant WBC Continental Americas Middleweight Champion title for his effort.

It was almost a year to the day, March 18, 2005, when “Ireland’s” John Duddy made his explosive debut on US national television fighting on the Kevin McBride vs. Kevin Monte card in Foxwoods carried live on ESPN. Although he came in with a perfect record of 8-0, Duddy took to the ring somewhat of an underdog. He would go up against a very promising up-and-coming, unbeaten Lenord Pierre who was 16-0. Within 1:23 of the first round the fight was over; Lenord was on the canvas out for the count. John Duddy had arrived.

Six fights later Duddy finds himself as the main feature in the famed Madison Square Garden. This would also be a step forward for John’s manager, Eddie McLoughlin, as he put together the first big event for his Irish Ropes Promotions.

The anticipation for this boxing card has been the entire buzz in boxing circles, within and beyond the Irish, since Eddie McLoughlin made mention of his goal to bring this show together in New York. Further testament of the interest was seen in the notables scattered throughout the audience. Fighters like Gerry Cooney, Emile Griffith, Shane Mosley, and “The Quiet Man” John Ruiz, along with our own Mickey Ward came to see Duddy. Actor Liam Neeson got the attention of the crowd as he posed for me with the Sam MaGuire Cup.

This was an atmosphere unlike any other. With all 5,600+ seats filled with what seemed to be all Irish fans singing and chanting “Du-ddy, Du-ddy, Du-ddy,” as they awaited the entrance of the man from Co. Derry. One could only imagine the feeling for this 26-year old.

Led in by the 28th Infantry Pipe Band, over from Donegal for the parade, the place erupted at the first sight of Duddy. Not to take away from anyone who had fought before him on the night, but this crowd was here to see John Duddy.

For those of you yet to see Duddy’s entrance to the ring, it can best be described as Ice Cold. There is no pomp or ceremony, there is little or no arm movement, just a deep stare toward the ring. Once in the ring John will make one or two darts around the canvas before standing in his corner starting down his opponent with Harry Keitt, his trainer, flanking him. One would have to have some symphony for his opponent, Shelby Pugwill, as the crowd jeered and booed when the ring announcer introduced him. On the other hand, cheers drowned the ring announcer out as he tried to announce John.




Seconds away, round one, a touch of gloves and it was on. Both boxers went at it throwing left hooks, both landing to the head. John then finds an opening with a left upper cut followed by one of those crushing right hooks to the body, then a quick left to the chest, followed with one hard shot to the temple. Shelby Pugwill, who came into this fight winning his last eight bouts, is on the canvas within 30 seconds of the bell and takes the full count, on one knee, from the referee. Trying to recover, Pugwill throws a couple of left jabs as he moves away from Duddy, one of which connects square on the forehead. It had little effect.

Duddy gets Pugwill against the ropes and lets loose with a barrage of shots to the body and head. In no time Pudwill is down again with his forehead on the canvas. After a second count he gets to his feet, but it would be short lived. He had nothing for John and he was again on the canvas for the third and final time. At 1:51 of the first round referee Wayne Kelly stops the fight. Shelby Pudwill takes the loss to give victory number 16 to John Duddy.

As the celebrations got underway in center ring, with the presentation of the champion’s belt, John took the opportunity to bring attention to the plight of the illegal Irish in the USA by pulling on a “Legalize the Irish” t-shirt and making sure every photographer in the place took his picture. Speaking with the press after the fight John said, “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I was going to walk into Madison Square Garden and knock out a guy with 21 wins in the first round.” Duddy is expected to be in the ring again as soon as June. The venue is expected to be either Boston or New York or possibly somewhere in between.

Macklin Disappointed
Due to contract problems Matt Macklin never gloved-up. Chris Troupe, who Matt was supposed to meet, did not make the contract weight Wednesday. Continued debate regarding the weight brought an end to a fight. Macklin told me earlier in the day he was really looking forward to get into the ring at The Garden, “I am very excited to be here, I want the fans here in the states to see what I am made of.” Macklin also made mention of the Troupe weight issue but said he was not overly concerned. Many have questioned the decision of Macklin’s team to withdraw him from this great opportunity. Having seen Matt in action in Philadelphia last fall, I was one of many disappointed when the news broke of his withdrawal mid-show.


James Moore vs Jose Felix

In the three fights I have seen James Moore fight he continues to improve each time out. James went on to take the victory at the “Mayhem in Marshfield” last September after making a great recovery from a knockdown. We then saw James take care of Manji Conteh at the Park Plaza Castle in Boston back in November of last year, doing so while suffering from rib injury. James will credit his continuous improvement to his trainer, Harry Keitt, and the opportunity to have a frequent sparring partner in Irish Ropes stable mate Duddy.

For this card James was matched against Jose Felix fighting out of Savannah, GA with a record of 10-2-2 Moore took the first round feeling out his opponent, never getting into much danger and not landing anything really big. Moore turned on the heat in the second putting Felix onto the canvas twice. Continued pressure in the third saw Moore send Felix to the canvas for the last time. Referee Steve Smoger had seen enough and waived off the count ending a nice fight for the Arklow man bringing his record to 5-0.

James Clancy vs Mitch Rose

James Clancy was definitely in awe at the opportunity to fight at The Garden. James, a native of Ennis Co. Clare who now makes Boston his home, told me before the fight, “This is what it’s all for; the running on the road in the freezing rain and snow, slogging it out in the gym day after day, sparring until you can’t hold up your arms.”

James would take to the ring against one Mitch Rose, whose claim to fame is taking Eric “Butterbean” Esch by TKO in 1995.

Rose, with his “Mr. T” hairstyle, weighed in a few “Big Mac’s” shy of 270 pounds, some 20 pounds heavier than Clancy. Both fighters opened the first landing, at will, some heavy, hard blows. James seemed frustrated at times trying to get past the awkward mass of Rose. As the rounds moved forward Clancy found his mark putting Rose back onto the ropes. Rose tried to land a few over the top sledgehammer type blows to Clancy late in the forth to no avail. In the end, Clancy would take a unanimous decision and keep his perfect record intact advancing to 7 (1 KO). James laughed as he left the ring saying, “He was a tough, big fella”

Also of note on the Duddy under card was Bronx lightweight Maureen Shea (5-0) who all but annihilated a scrappy New Mexican fighter, LeAnne Villarreal (1-6-1)

When all was said and done, a great effort was put into this show by Irish Ropes who even added a touch of class by removing the slinky clad ring card girls and replaced them with smiling happy Irish dancers. The dancers also entertained the crowd at the break. Eddie and crew are already looking for the next venue. You can be sure wherever that will be the Irish fans will follow.