Chavez overcomes Duddy at Alamo
27 June 2010
John Duddys dream of securing a World middleweight title fight has come to a crushing halt after the Derryman dropped a unanimous points decision to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in Texas on Saturday night.
Mexican Chavez, now 41-0-1-1 (30KO), was value for the 120-108, 116-112, 117-111 victory having outworked Duddy, 29-2 (18KO), on the inside and outboxed him on the outside. In picking up the WBC Silver trinket, Chavez managed to hurt Duddy on a number of occasions throughout the contest and indeed looked capable of inflicting a stoppage defeat on the New York based Irishman.
Duddy was resilient and brave, fighting back every time his back was against the wall, but kudos over toughness is scant consolation for a man whose aspirations of world title glory now look set to remain just that.
This was Chavez Jrs night to shine and he stepped up to the mark in some fashion.
Whether he has been improved considerably by the tutelage of Freddie Roach or was always capable of raising his game against stronger opposition, Chavez looked an improved fighter against Duddy dismissing many of the questions raised about his ability following previous performances.
Team Duddy will now have to sit down and chart the best route forward for their fighter – a return home to press for British and European honours may well prove to be the most lucrative option.
