RSS
Sport


Home Page > Sport > Irish boxer John Duddy knocks out Juan Astorga at Madison Square Garden

Blogs


comment on article 3 Comments
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail

Irish boxer John Duddy knocks out Juan Astorga at Madison Square Garden

By
DECLAN O'KELLY,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Saturday, January 23, 2010, 10:03 PM
Updated Sunday, January 24, 2010, 6:42 PM

 

Bookmark and Share

No Cancun trip for John Duddy
John Duddy knocked Juan Astorga out at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night

Middleweight John Duddy (28-1, 18 KOs) knocked Juan Astorga (14-4-1, 9 KOs) out after 1:55 of the first round of their fight in the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

Straight after the quick fire win, the ring announcer told the crowd that Duddy would be fighting next on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao/Joshua Clottey fight at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on March 13.

Duddy is sure to have a longer night’s work then, as he totally outclassed Astorga during their brief encounter.

Roared on by plenty of Irish fans, Duddy, in light green shorts, looked sharp and focused in the early exchanges.

The fight had barely started when Duddy threw a nice left hook that landed on Astorga, who looked nervous.

He had good reason to be, as shortly after Duddy landed a straight right hand to his head. After a delayed reaction, the Mexican took a knee and referee Wayne Kelly gave him a count.

Once he got up, Astorga’s body language suggested that his fight was done.

And it was a couple of seconds later, when a perfect left hook to the body from Duddy put the Missouri-based Mexican down again.

Referee Wayne Kelly started his count but immediately waved off the fight, giving "The Derry Destroyer" the 28th and arguably easiest win of his professional career.

"I got him right on the temple you know, and with temple shots there is a delayed reaction. I was surprised to see him go down, but  I did hit him flush and it was a nice short right hand,” said Duddy after the fight.

Of the knockout punch, Duddy said that body shots were something that he had not been concentrating on in recent fights, but trainer Harry Keitt had encouraged him to go back to working on the body more.

“I hit him a couple of times to the body, and with that last left hook to the body I could hear the wind coming out of his lungs.

"It landed on the button, and once I saw him land on the canvas I knew he wasn't getting up again.

“I wish it has gone on longer but I was throwing my shots with a lot of determination.”

Duddy said that he did not know who he would face at Cowboys Stadium on March 13, but the 30-year-old is determined to make the most of his chance on the Pacquiao undercard.

"I don't know who I am fighting (on March 13), but I will be straight back into the gym on Monday with Harry (Keitt).  I ain't stopping this train now. I am looking forward to it.

"Craig (Hamilton, Duddy's manager) will be working on my next opponent and whoever it is, bring him on."

1 2 Next page >
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail


3 Comments

It may take several minutes for your comment to appear.
Report abuse
Posted by llyndsey on Jan 25, 2010, 08:43 PM EST
I was at the fight on Saturday and John looked great and seems to have a renewed sense of purpose. I think he's finally going to be let be who and what he is: a tough, heavy-handed brawler who will never be a defensive wizard. I'm glad he's got the slot on the March 13th megacard and I hope he fights a real contender. I don't know if he's good enough to go toe to toe with the likes of Kelly Pavlik - but I'd love to see him get the chance.
Report abuse
Posted by Searlit on Jan 25, 2010, 11:15 AM EST
Sorry, I don't like boxing.
Report abuse
Posted by mylesie on Jan 24, 2010, 11:40 AM EST
No problem mucker sure your man's got it all.
 


Click to learn more from DiscoverIreland.com.


Connect to IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or sign-in directly

Welcome to IrishCentral!
Please provide the following information in order to create your account

Username:
E-Mail Address:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy


Welcome to IrishCentral!
All we need is the following information and you will be part of the #1 Irish community in the US

E-Mail Address:
First select a unique username:
Username:
Now choose a password:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Thank you!

Just one more step and you will be part of the largest Irish community in America! Tell us a little more about you to start enjoying all the features of IrishCentral.

Additional Information:

First Name:
Last Name:
Date of Birth:
Zip:
Gender: Male  Female 
Country:
Degree of Irishness:
Household Income:
Level of Education:

Subscribe to our newsletters:

The Best of IrishCentral - Daily Newsletter
Special Offers from our sponsors

or
Skip

You can edit your information at any time, just go to "my account" when you're logged in.

Log into IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or sign-in directly

E-Mail:
Password:
 Remember me Forgot my password