Duddy wins in States

14 March 2010 – By Staff Writer

John Duddy moved one step closer to a major middleweight title fight with a hard fought points victory over Michael Medina at Cowboy Stadium on Saturday night.

The New York based Irishman extended his ledger to 29-1 (18KO) with the deserved victory, but was made to fight for every minute of every round to get a split decision nod. Mexican Medina, who in the eighth round was deducted a point for persistent low blows, drops to 23-2-2 (18KO).

The deduction would have had little bearing on the final decision, with the Irishman picking up scores of 96-93, 96-93 and 93-96 in the ten round battle.

The bout, which appeared on the undercard of Manny Pacqiuaios WBO welterweight title victory over Joshua Clottey was designed by promoter Top Rank to raise Duddys profile in the Hispanic community ahead of a proposed clash with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr later this year.

And in terms of exposure, Derry native Duddy couldnt have hoped for much better, boxing in an entertaining contest in front of a live gate of over 50,000.

Duddy is expected to return to action in June on another Top Rank stadium card.