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John Duddy ready to face Michael Medina on Pacquiao/Clottey undercard at Cowboys Stadium

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John Duddy

Derry middleweight John Duddy (28-2, 28kos) will fight Michael Medina (23-1-2, 18kos) in a ten-round contest on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao/Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday night.

IrishCentral caught up with trainer Harry Keitt to find out how preparations have gone.

“Mentally he is ready and physically he is ready,” said Keitt on Monday. “We are flying out to Dallas tomorrow (Tuesday). We are going down there looking for some great things to happen and we are looking for the win.”

Duddy has come through training well and Keitt is looking forward to him showing some of his early career form.

“I am bringing back the John that everyone knows: always moving his head, letting his punches go, bobbing and weaving and not running all over the place,” added Keitt.

Duddy's opponent, Michael Medina, is a 23-year-old Mexican who has campaigned mostly as a light middleweight and is ranked number 9 by the WBC in the light middleweight division.

“Medina is a Mexican fighter, and when most Mexicans come to fight they come to bring it.  That’s a good thing for John. This is a guy that he won’t have to look for, he is going to be right there in front of him,” said Keitt.

Medina has fought as low as 142lbs early in his pro career in 2005 and has accumulated a winning record with a high knockout percentage against carefully chosen opposition.

The one time he made a step up, taking on then 20-0 Vanes Martirosyan, he lost by unanimous decision in September 2008.

Fans who cannot get to Cowboys Stadium can watch the fight on HBO-Pay-per-view.

In other news, Irish American lightweight Danny McDermott takes a big step in his career later this month when he fights for the NABC title at Schuetzen Park in North Bergen on March 25.

McDermott made the announcement in Hoboken at The Quays Irish pub.  The Jersey City native believes this is the year for him to make his move.

"It's an honor to fight for my first professional championship in front of my hometown fans," said McDermott. "Ever since I was a kid I dreamed of being called 'champion.' This is just a start but I can't look past the task in front of me. 2010 is going to be my breakout year."

An opponent for the eight round fight has yet to be confirmed.

Also on the fight card will be fellow Irish American Patrick Farrell (5-0).  Also from Jersey City, Farrell has been busy since turning pro just over a year ago.

Finally, Olympic silver medalist Ken Egan was crowned Irish light heavyweight champion for the eighth consecutive year on Friday night when he overcame the challenge over Tommy McCarthy in the final, winning by an 8-5 margin.

Egan now holds ten senior titles, two at middleweight and eighth in the light heavyweight division as he continues his preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

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