John Duddy Training Camp Notes

May 25, 2005 - (“Ireland’s” John Duddy (16-0, 14 KOs), preparing his June 10 defense of his WBC Continental Americas middleweight title against Freddy Cuevas (25-8-1, 17KOs) on the Cotto-Malignaggi card at Madison Square Garden, was interviewed at training camp with Pauli Malignaggi, his friend and occasional sparring partner, on “The Mouthpiece Boxing Show with Anthony Pepe on Boston’s Boxing Station 1510 The Zone.” The complete interview can be heard Saturday (May 27), 12 noon-1 PM, at 1510AM in Boston or on the Internet by going to www.1510thezone.com.) The following quotes came from that taped show:)

June 10 at MSG…..
“It’s going to be explosive. I’ve got a lot of people coming; a planeload of people from Ireland, some of them I don’t even know. We’re two kids (Duddy and Malignaggi) living out our dreams. I can’t wait to start. This is way I’m a fighter. It’s my life. June 10, after the fight when my hands are raised, I’ll be thinking that this is why I do this.”

Paulie Malignaggi…..
“Since I’ve been in New York, I’ve see Paulie train and nobody works as hard as him. He has the fastest hands I’ve ever seen. He’s coming of age. I wish I could move like him. He has reflexes like a cat. He’s a fast talker outside the ring and his hands are fast inside the ring.”

Moving from Ireland to New York City…..
“It’s been nicer than I dreamed since I came to America. I was welcomed in New York City and never homesick. There will be a lot of Irish and Italian fans there (June 10). I fought there last year and there were a lot of Irish even though Kevin McBride was fighting Mike Tyson the same night (in Washington D.C.).”

Freddy Cuevas…..
Cuevas is a tough fighter. He took Jermaine Taylor the distance. He’s going to bring out different aspects from me. I want to prove that there’s more to John Duddy than slam, bam thank you mam. I let my opponent worry about me, not me worry about him. I’m young and strong. I’d rather let the other guy look over his shoulder at me.”