Duddey keen on summer return

31 March 2008 – by Cormac Campbell

Irish boxing promoter Brian Peters believes middleweight star John Duddy could return to the ring as early as late summer.

The Derryman has been out of action after sustaining serious cuts in his recent life-and-death struggle with Walid Smichet at MSG earlier in the year.

Initial predictions stated that it would take until November before the contender would be ready for action but Peters told the press in Letterkenny on Saturday night that an earlier return could be on the cards.

I was talking to him and he is champing at the bit, the Meath businessman confirmed.

We could be looking at a return as early as late summer. Whether that would be in the US, maybe Boston or in Ireland remains to be seen but well see.

Peters also said that Andy Lees projected rematch with Brian Vera may now not happen. Limerickman Lee, who is based in Detroit with Emmanuel Steward, was long tipped to be the next middleweight world champion.

But best-laid plans were derailed with a shock, controversial stoppage at the hands of Texan Vera in March. Abandoning his gameplan, the former Olympian played in to his rugged opponent’s hands before being stopped in the seventh round.