Duddy, Bosante Both Ready For Friday Night's Sold-Out 'Erin Go Brawl'

Despite frigid temperatures and heavy snowstorms, Anthony "The Bullet" Bonsante has been training hard in Minnesota for this Friday night's title fight against IBA World and WBC Continental Americas middleweight champion 'Ireland's" John Duddy in the 12-round main event in the the "Erin Go Brawl" at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The Contender Season I star Bonsante (29-8-2, 17 KOs), reigning IBA Americas and Minnesota State middleweight title-holder, realizes that he is a clear underdog fighting Duddy (18-0, 15 KOs), who is rated No. 7 by the WBO and No. 9 by the WBA, on St. Patrick's Day Eve in New York City.

Bonsante, however, remains undaunted in his belief that he'll upset Duddy: "Training has been going okay but some things could have been better," Bonsante said. "Two weeks ago it was 40-below zero and we've been getting tons of snow the last few days. I love Minnesota and training here only makes me stronger and angry. I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Duddy's quick, strong and he loves to fight. He's going to bring it and so am I. We could put this fight in a phone booth. I'm expecting his best and that's what he's going to get from me.  I can't wait. It's going to be a great fight."

The sold-out "Erin Go Brawl," which is presented by Irish Ropes Promotions, will be broadcast live in North America on cable and satellite pay-per-view starting at 9 PM Eastern.

The event is being produced and distributed for pay-per-view by Integrated Sports and will be available in more than 50-million homes in North America via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network in the USA, as well as Viewer's Choice in Canada Those outside North America can see the full "Erin Go Brawl" event via a streaming video subscription on www.secondsout.com .

Responding to the incredible response from fans, Irish Ropes Promotions president Eddie McLoughlin said: "We sold out (4,955 seats) three weeks before the fight. With all of the interest in John and the show being held the night before St. Patrick's Day, we probably could have sold 8,000-9,000 tickets, but now the only way people who don't have tickets can watch is on pay per view. Next year, hopefully, we'll be in the big arena at Madison Square Garden."

"The rapid sell out of The Theater at Madison Square Garden is proof that John Duddy is one of the sports most exciting boxers," said Joel Fisher, Senior Vice President Madison Square Garden Sports Properties.

"New York fight fans demand to see the very best and I'm sure they won't be disappointed on March 16th."

Unbeaten middleweight prospect "Irish" Andy Lee, who was a 2004 Irish Olympian, will be fighting Levan Easley after his original opponent - Cleiton "Soul Man" Conceicao - lost in a recent fight..

Lee (7-0, 4 KOs) is now fighting out of Detroit by way of Limerick, Ireland.