John Duddy likely to fight Andy Lee in New York on December 4

By: Sean O'Shea | Published Thursday, September 23, 2010, 7:40 AM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 9:50 PM

The fight all Irish Americans want to see is likely to take place in Madison Square Garden on December 4th.

John Duddy and fellow Irishman Andy Lee are likely to clash on that date according to Lee's legendary manager Emmanuel Steward

He says he has agreed a date with Duddy’s manager Craig Hamilton for the fight and December 4 is the proposed date.

Steward told the Belfast Telegraph : “I have talked to Craig about the fight and he’s up for it and so are we. It looks like it will be part of the undercard to Miguel Cotto in New York. New York is where I would like it to be, it’s a huge fight there for the Irish community but I know there is interest in staging the fight in Ireland.

“I think for both men it’s a great fight at this stage of their careers and I believe it will take Andy closer to a world title shot.

“As far as I’m concerned Andy is the best middleweight in the world. I want him to face the winner of the Paul Williams-Sergio Martinez WBC title fight in November.”

Despite losing narrowly Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez in June Duddy remains at number nine in the WBC world rankings, while Lee — who won in Chicago last week — is ranked nine by the WBA.

Duddy has lost two of his last five fights and Lee would likely be the favorite for the bout.