Belfast to host Duddy-Phillips?

07 July 2008 – by Mark Doyle

John Duddy will challenge for Verno Phillips IBF light-middleweight title on October 31 but the venue for the eagerly-anticipated bout has yet to be decided upon.

Derry native Duddy has campaigned at middleweight for the duration of his professional career to date and has long been seeking a bout with the divisions number one, Kelly Pavlik.

However, Duddys new trainer, Pat Burns, has persuaded his undefeated charge that his future lies at 154lbs and that has led to the match-up with veteran champion Phillips.

The date has been agreed but the venue is still up for discussion, according to Irish Ropes boss Eddie McLoughlin.

At this stage, we will have to wait to see what the TV companies are going to do, Duddys manager and promoter is quoted as saying by The Irish Sun.

Until negotiations on that front are complete we wont know where the venue will be.

Speculation is rife, however, that the fight will be staged at The Odyssey Arena in Belfast.