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Owen Duffy reveals reason behind shock defeat – open to rematch


Owen Duffy [4(2)-1(0)] isn’t arguing with the result of his first career loss but the Cavan light middleweight has revealed that there were extenuating circumstances that greatly hindered.

Duffy was defeated by slugger Jake Best in London last month, dropping a 56-58 decision after six rounds at the Woodside Leisure Centre.

‘The Butcher’ had the chance to get back to winning ways on Saturday gone and duly did, dominating Czech Gergo Vari on the ‘Clash of the Titans’ bill in Dublin and spoke about his surprise defeat for the first time afterwards.

Duffy explained that a change to the weigh-in left him drained and unable to keep up with the pace set by the game Best.

“I definitely knew I didn’t win that fight,” he told Irish-Boxing.com.

“I don’t think I deserved to win it. I didn’t throw any punches I didn’t have energy to throw a punch. It’s mad, I could see his punches and I was blocking them, but I didn’t have it in me to counter.”

“I think it was the fourth round I didn’t throw a punch for 40 seconds. I remember seeing him stepping back and being surprised himself.”

Giving context, the fitness professional admitted that “the weight cut was an issue.”

“So, I was told we were weighing in the day before so I did my whole camp being seven percent over my weight. I was doing the scientific approach.”

“Then I found out a couple of days before the fight the weigh-in was changed to the next day. Then I landed over and it was moved to the evening and, at that point, I was fasting for 24 hours.”

“So what I learnt was I have to make sure all the facts before the fight. I have to make sure things are set in stone and things like that are in the contract.”

The Shercock southpaw is staying upbeat, however.

Duffy notes how “I have to take the positives out it. I went straight back to training and it is good to have a positive team around you. Paschal [Collins] and Barry [O’Meara] were great.”

“I was pretty shocked. I still am shocked because talent wise I wouldn’t consider him at my level, but these things happen.

Duffy dominated Vari on Saturday, it was one-way traffic at the National Stadium for four rounds.

“That fight was for my head, just mentally, to get back to winning ways and get in and perform,” explained the Assassin fighter before outlining his willingness to face his stablemate again.

“[the loss] didn’t phase me at all. Like, someone said to me I’d beat him nine times out of 10, so if they want to do it again I am open to it.”

“Initially I took it hard, it was tough because I trained hard. Nothing good comes easy so you have to take these learning experiences.”

“I thought if I was to lose it would be against a more skilfull or better opponent, so it hurts in that regard.”

“The Celtic Warriors helped me through it. They explained this has happened to the best of them and just told me to get back in there and don’t fuck up. They knew it was the weigh in and told me to keep training and working hard.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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