John Duddy (26-0) will fight Billy Lyell (18-7, 3kos) at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on April 24 in a ten round fight. The Derry native only had a couple of weeks off after his win over Matt Vanda at Madison Square Garden on February 21, and is in Miami preparing for this latest challenge with trainer Pat Burns.
Billy Lyell is from Ohio and lives in Youngstown, the same place WBO/WBC middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik calls home. The two share the same trainer, Jack Loew. With an 18-7 record, the 24-year-old has journeyed a bit since his debut in July 2003. However, only three knockout victories in his career suggest that Duddy's chin should not be tested too much on April 24.
Lyell is just coming off a defeat to Vanes Martirosyan on February 7 and is 5-5 in his last ten fights. The most recognizable names on his ledger are defeats to Luis Ramon Campas by unanimous decision in June 2007, a tko loss to James Kirkland in February 2007 and a tko loss to Charles Whittaker in September 2006.
The unbeaten Irishman is far too experienced to take anyone for granted at this stage in his career. “If he prepares anything like Kelly does, then I know he will be 110% percent ready for the fight,” continued Duddy.
The Lyell fight represents another chance for Duddy and trainer Pat Burns to work together as they prepare for a world title challenge later in the year. Click on the video link to hear Duddy talk to IrishCentral.com about his upcoming fight.
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