Duddy Defeats Eastman In Belfast

Derry's John Duddy scored an impressive point's win over Howard Eastman in a tough 10-round middleweight contest at a packed King's Hall, Belfast on Saturday night. Duddy, fully aware that a strong performance was crucial if he is to be offered bigger paydays down the road, left nothing to chance in this fight. He looked highly motivated and determined, but equally he displayed a controlled ruthlessness that Eastman was generally unable to counter.

After winning by a unanimous vote of 96-94, it was revealed that Duddy has agreed to take on Matt Vanda on February 2nd in Madison Square Garden. His return to New York will see him on the under card of the WBC heavyweight championship fight between Oleg Maskaev and Samuel Peter, but the 'Derry Destroyer' and his team promise that they will return to King's Hall in the near future.

Before the fight, Duddy talked of his long held desire to fight in King's Hall as he remembered watching fighters like former featherweight champion Barry McGuigan who commanded center stage and inspired people throughout Ireland.

After the fight, Duddy's manager Eddie McLoughlin said that he was pleased with Duddy's progress and his maturity in the face of the experienced Eastman. Speaking to BBC Sport he said, "I thought John moved up a level. We knew that Howard Eastman was going to test him and he did and John came through it very well. There has been a lot of talk about a world title fight and that will come. Our plan was always to have it in 2008 and we are on track but he needs a couple more wins."