The King Of The Castle

Neil McDaid Reports From The "Hassle in the Castle" In Boston

John Duddy was back in the greater Boston area this past weekend for the Irish Ropes Promotions' "Hassle in the Castle".

It was only the third time that the very popular Derry boxer has fought in the greater Boston area, and once again he did not disappoint.

Duddy headlined a five bout card, taking on the 25th opponent of his pro-career.

On this night John would face off with Charlie Howe at center ring, Howe, fighting out of Grelton, Ohio, was coming into this matchup with a record of 17 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws.

The venue was the Park Castle in downtown Boston. John Duddy had taking victory number 15 in this very building back in 2006 over a tough Julio Jean.

Despite reporting on most of John's fights to date, I am still in awe at the reception that he receives as he makes his way to the ring.

Granted this was not Madison Square Garden, but the atmosphere in the Castle that was filled to capacity was just electric.

Duddy has been vocal in his disappointment with how some in the media reported his last fight as if he had lost, even though he still has a perfect record.

With his new trainer in tow, Duddy would make his way to the ring with clear intentions of getting back on track, and therefore erasing any question about his ability or commitment.

Duddy has spent the past few months in Florida with his new trainer Pat Burns. Burns has been working with John to try and break him of his tendency to get into unnecessary brawls which have been a trademark in his last few fights.

As the rounds got underway Duddy looked more composed, more settled in the ring.

He did not have the same urgency to get his opponent on the canvas in the first minute.

He was more calculating, yet nonetheless devastating in his delivery.

In the weeks leading up to this fight, with limited information or video on Charlie Howe many people, myself included, thought he was lined up as an easy mark for Duddy.

How wrong we all were. Charlie Howe came to Boston to fight.

Although Duddy had the edge on Howe early, Charlie would not back away, nor had he any intention of lying down.

For the first time in many fights Duddy was working his jab.

He still had the tendency to hold his head forward but Howe could not really take advantage as Duddy bobbed and weaved showing great improvement in his defensive posture.

Howe would find himself on the ropes often throughout the fight; Duddy pounding Charlie with everything in the Derryman's arsenal. Round after round there was a trend forming of Howe being saved by the bell.

I must have counted five times throughout the fight where Howe had no legs, but miraculously he managed to hang in for the bell each time.

Howe had his moments along the way landing a few hard shots to the head of Duddy.

On several occasions he had Duddy covered up in a defensive posture. Howe often tried to find his way in with big overhead rights often hitting Duddy on the back of the head.

Duddy did a better job in this fight to avoid eating flush shots to the head, and never seemed to be in trouble with any of the big shots Howe connected with.

Duddy almost got through this fight without a cut until an accidental clash of heads in the ninth opened a nice gash on John's right eye.

He managed to get through the round so his corner could take care of the damage.

Notably missing from John's corner this outing was big George Mitchell, who has been John's cut man for the past few years.

Mitchell can certainly take much credit for keeping John in many previous fights with his magically corner repairs.

In the end it was Duddy all the way. The judges at ringside scored the bout 100-90; 100-90; 100-90.

With that, John claimed his 25th pro victory. Howe was a gentleman in defeat. Despite the loss he proved to all in attendance that he had no fear and that he possessed a chin as tough as Rockall.

The question now on everyone's mind is, "where to next Mr. Duddy?" Since missing his golden chance at the coveted middleweight title against Kelly Pavlik, the middleweight landscape has changed greatly.

At this point in time it seems unlikely that Pavlik's promoter Bob Arum will pass on some of the potential big fight opportunities that have been tossed around in the past few weeks for his man.

Names like that of Sergio Mora, super middleweight Joe Calzaghe, the impressive German Arthur Abraham and not to mention Bernard Hopkins and "Winky" Wright are all waiting for a big payday.

They would all seem to offer a bigger payday over a fight with John Duddy. But hold a second, that's about as long as it takes for things to change in boxing. John Duddy has mass appeal; his is the classic gentle boxer, adored by many.

The general consensus in boxing is that John Duddy would be no match for Kelly Pavlik at this point in time, but one has to ask, if not now when?

Can John really get much better? Granted it would be a great payday for John, although no one wants to see him get seriously injured.

Everyone agrees that John will give it his all and maybe, just maybe, that might be enough on the night.

A more promising, yet less lucrative direction was offered by Pat Burns after the fight.

He is suggesting that John should move down in weight and opt to go after the likes of a junior middleweight belt.

Nothing has been set in stone at this point; we expect to hear more from Irish Ropes on Duddy's next move in the coming weeks.

Other notables for the Irish were Donny "Boy" Orr an Irish-Canadian who took a unanimous decision over Roberto "El Viejo" Valenzuela in eight rounds.

Cruiserweight Mark Clancy of Doolin, Co. Clare, now fighting out of Boston, improved his record to 8-0-1 by out boxing a wily Salah Zabian.

Zabian was billed as a "cagey veteran." He is definitely a unique character which I am sure has frustrated all 16 opponents he has meet throughout his pro career.

Despite Zabian's in-ring antics, Clancy managed to track him down and unleashed some brutal attacks.

Several times Zabian seemed ready to kiss the canvas, but he would get a burst of energy and lunge forward at Clancy.

The bout would go the full distance of 6 rounds, with Clancy easily taking each round.