Undefeated Irish middleweight John Duddy maintained his unblemished record in New York following a win over Dupre Strickland in the early hours of this morning.
Duddy chalked up the 20th win of his career following a convincing victory over Strickland at the Beacon Theatre in the Big Apple.
New York based Duddy almost recorded an early KO after he dropped Strickland in the first round but the fight went the 10 round distance before the Derry native was handed a unanimous decision (100-89,100-89,100 90).
Speaking from ringside after the fight Duddy's promoter Eddie McLoughlin said they were delighted with the win and dismissed concerns about a slight cut Duddy received over his right eye.
McLoughlin said: 'John was always in control of the fight and it was nearly an early night as he floored Strickland in the first round. But fair play to Strickland he got back up and he went the distance but the outcome was never in doubt.
'John got a cut over his right eye but it is no major concern as it is only a small cut and it won't interfere with his next fight.'
That next fight looks almost certain to be in Ireland in July as Duddy departs for Ireland next Wednesday. He will hold a press conference in Dublin on May 29. It is expected that it will announce details of Duddy's long-awaited Irish professional debut in Dublin in July.
