John Duddy

[freddydoesdallas]

What ended up happening with this fella? I remember reading about him having built a good Irish American following in NYC but then had big contractual issues ages.

Did this force him to give up the game or did results just not go his way and he jacked it in? Seemed like he was doing well out there for a while

[Noxy]

Yes, he was doing well in NY. He did have fairly major contractual issues, he also left his first trainer Harry Keitt to work with Don Turner, then he went back to Keitt. It's possible that out-of-the-ring factors, particularly on the promotional side, caused him to become disillusioned with the game. I also had the feeling (just a feeling mind) that he may have found his level, and knew it, when he lost the JC Chavez fight and decided it was time to find something else to do.

I've heard rumours of him getting into acting and working part-time in a bar in NY. One last thing, I remember him in the amateurs in Ireland. He was a good fighter but he really seemed to blossom when he moved to NY. I was impressed with the way he rose rapidly to the verge of a title shot.

[freddydoesdallas]

Cheers. I did like reading about him, i think it was secondsout that covered a lot of him and did a few features.

He seemed to generate a big buzz around Irish boxers and no doubt a lot of people had a good time out watching him fight over there, especially the St Patrick Day cards.

Hopefully, it will all work out for him in the acting and we see him lining up against the likes Brad Pitt in future hollywood blockbusters!

[palooka]

Duddy was a good fighter with a sound chin and plenty of bottle, he was fun to watch but took a bit of punishment. I can imagine him being a decent bloke and him doing well whatever he does.

[stujones]

Duddy fought with plenty of heart, had a sound chin and a good engine. Always had the impression that he was a bit of a realist when it came to his talent and I think was hoping for a world title shot just based on his popularity. Always felt he would retire if he lost in a world title fight (ala Gary Lockett)... alas he never got his shot and I think he considered Chavez as his title fight and he never really believed he could win.

[ShadrachSimmo]

Immensely tough fighter and always fun to watch.

I think he just realised the end had come and was smart enough not to continue. Sadly something many fighters realise too late.

[johnty1888]

I think he plays Ken Buchanan in the new film about Roberto Duran

[JMac]

Immensely tough fighter and always fun to watch.

I think he just realised the end had come and was smart enough not to continue. Sadly something many fighters realise too late.

Agreed

[nfc90210]

I think he plays Ken Buchanan in the new film about Roberto Duran

A link to John Duddy's page at IMDB is below. He is playing Ken Buchanan in Hands of Stone.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4858426/

[chad]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life- ... ie-4857153

[handsofstone]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life- ... ie-4857153

Great news Duddy as Buchanan,ive seen worse casting,i look forward to hearing his Scottish accent

I cant wait for that film,i have a feeling it will be one of the greats

[JC]

Duddy was great fun to watch and I'd have loved to see him fight Pavlik or Abraham, but he was definitely smart to get out when he did. With his style every fight was going to turn into a war for as long as it lasted. Early on he was getting guys out of there, but he didn't really have the power to fight that way at world level.

[steve689]

Duddy fought Howard Eastman over here at the King's Hall in 2007 and was a real nice guy. Had his flaws but was fit, determined and very tough.

He signed up to fight Andy Lee, in early 2010 I think, and felt completely flat at training camp, before discovering his heart was no longer in the fight game. He had some great fights with the likes of Anthony Bonsante and Yory Boy Campas. When he stepped up against Chavez he took his lumps and lost widely.

[DavidPayne]

Duddy is chasing the acting thing.

[ILikeBeer]

Duddy fought Howard Eastman over here at the King's Hall in 2007 and was a real nice guy. Had his flaws but was fit, determined and very tough.

He signed up to fight Andy Lee, in early 2010 I think, and felt completely flat at training camp, before discovering his heart was no longer in the fight game. He had some great fights with the likes of Anthony Bonsante and Yory Boy Campas. When he stepped up against Chavez he took his lumps and lost widely.

I remember watching that fight on BBC Ireland back in the day. If I remember correctly, it was the same night as Hatton vs Mayweather. Living in England, I had to go to channel 900-odd on my Sky Box to watch it.

Duddy beat him well. Should've been Eastman's last fight.

[steve689]

Yes same night as Hatton-Mayweather. Remember going off to the Balmoral Hotel at the end of the night to watch the big fight in the company of Rob McCracken and Paul David who were over with Eastman. Great night.

[HomicideHenry]

His career reminds me somewhat of Joe Mesi... when it was obvious that boxing in and of itself wasn't in the cards, Mesi retired and went into the medical supplies business and politics. I interviewed him once and he claimed that he made more money selling medical supplies and artificial limbs than he ever did boxing.

[ILikeBeer]

Yes same night as Hatton-Mayweather. Remember going off to the Balmoral Hotel at the end of the night to watch the big fight in the company of Rob McCracken and Paul David who were over with Eastman. Great night.

I have a vague suspicion there was some other fight on that night too, but can't for the life of me remember what it was. So may be mistaken.

I remember getting some beers in and being so knackered I Sky Plussed Hatton and watched it the next morning. I felt like I'd been watching boxing all night already. Dunno if there was another domestic bill on one of the channels.

[Feargal....]

Duddy was great fun to watch and I'd have loved to see him fight Pavlik or Abraham, but he was definitely smart to get out when he did. With his style every fight was going to turn into a war for as long as it lasted. Early on he was getting guys out of there, but he didn't really have the power to fight that way at world level.

He was close to getting a fight with Pavlik. Glad he didn't he would have been murdered. He had no defence except for a granite chin.

[steve689]

Yes same night as Hatton-Mayweather. Remember going off to the Balmoral Hotel at the end of the night to watch the big fight in the company of Rob McCracken and Paul David who were over with Eastman. Great night.

I have a vague suspicion there was some other fight on that night too, but can't for the life of me remember what it was. So may be mistaken.

I remember getting some beers in and being so knackered I Sky Plussed Hatton and watched it the next morning. I felt like I'd been watching boxing all night already. Dunno if there was another domestic bill on one of the channels.

There was loads on mate. Chris Edwards beat Jamie McDonnell which I think was the Sky bill. Arthur Abraham KO'd Wayne Elcock in Switzerland and Amir Khan bopped Graham Earl in a round which I think was on ITV. RTE showed the Duddy fight and then on BBC NI the Sunday night.

[GilFilmore]

Duddy is a first ballot hall of famer