Duddy gets title shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[thepocketrocket]

John Duddy is moving down to Light Middle to face Verno Phillips, the agreement is in place and they will fight before the end of October!! This is according to the website thats name shall not be spoken!!

So what do we think?? Can Duddy win this? Is he OK to get down to Light Middle??

[steve689]

Well it's good that he moved down and beat a couple of contenders first to earn his chance but of course Boxing doesn't work like that these days. It's an even money fight as both have strengths and weaknesses. Very winnable for Phillips and Duddy is a big name with massive pulling power so a smart move.

[HomicideHenry]

smart move for Duddy to take on a 38 year old opponent, champion or no champion, plus the move down in weight will just make him the larger, stronger opponent for his aged foe. not to say Duddy will win, but he made a smart move, least he's got a chance rather than against someone more credible like Pavlik or Sturm.

[Rags19]

Phillips-Duddy Update!

July 7, 2008

By Chris Morris
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After reports of Verno Phillips vs John Duddy being a 'done deal,' I got a phone call from Phillips' trainer Trevor Wittman who said 'Whoeverput that out there (the BBC) needs to put the brakes on it, we are far from a 'done deal' although the negotiations are indeed going on."

The issues Wittman mentioned include:

Irish Ropes wants to stage the bout in New York, Duddy's backyard, or Ireland, his home country. After the very controversial majority decision Duddy was awarded after his bout with Walid Smichet, Team Phillips isn't interested in either, unless that concern is covered by big purse money.

Furthermore Team Phillips has the upper hand in these negotiations as Phillips is the reigning and defending champ, while Duddy isn't even ranked at 154lbs. He'd like to do the same as Sergio Mora and drop down and 'cherry pick' a title.

The Duddy Team also wanted a September 6th date, a mere 8 weeks out, which Phillips rejected as he needs a full camp to defend his title. After all he is a ripe ol' 38 years old.

And of course there's always concerns with the purses involved.

"It's an excellent fight for us and for the fans. I think Verno's experience and footwork wins him the bout, no doubt," added Wittman, who also mentioned that "there is always the mandatory put forth by the IBF, so we have options for our first title defense, but the bottom line is the Duddy bout is NOT a done deal."

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Chris Morris operates RockyMountainBoxing.com. To subscribe to the Rocky Mountain Rumble-ings newsletter please send an email to Chris Morris with “Subscribe Me To RMB” in the subject line.