AS John Duddy (25-0) prepares for his November 21 fight against Sam Hill in Miami with trainer Pat Burns, his prospective January opponent, Ronald Hearns, fights this Friday against Paul Clavette in Montreal.

If Hearns, a perfect 20-0, overcomes the 14-1 Canadian and Duddy beats Hill, the two will meet on January 17 at the Theater in Madison Square Garden. The deals are contingent on the fighters keeping their unbeaten records, so Hearns will aim to keep his part of the deal this week.

In other encouraging news for Clan Duddy, the Irishman is ranked fourth in the WBC's latest light middleweight rankings, despite the fact that he had never fought in the weight class. Tickets for the Duddy-Hill fight are available at the usual outlets.

In other boxing news, Irish Olympic bronze medalist Darren Sutherland has joined the paid ranks after signing a deal with London-based Frank Maloney. The promoter, whose parents are Irish, has managed Lennox Lewis and counts David Haye among his current list of fighters.

Sutherland, who is studying for a degree in sports science at Dublin City University, signed a three-year deal with Maloney. No trainer has been confirmed for Sutherland, but the 26-year-old is slated to make his professional debut on December 18 at DCU.

Though "The Dazzler" won his bronze medal at middleweight, he is set to campaign as a pro in the super middleweight (168 pound) division.

Irish American lightweight Danny "Little Mac" McDermott defeated Jose Guzman last Thursday night at Schuetzen Park, North Bergen, when he won a unanimous decision to take his professional record to 6-1-1 (2 KOs).

The 29-year-old Jersey City native had his opponent down three times in the later rounds and took the decision 57-55, 59-53,58-53 on the judges' cards.