John Duddy may be just one fight away from his dream of a world title bout against middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik, but he’s not the only Derryman eyeing world honours this year.
Duddy’s former amateur team-mate Paul McCloskey is creating a real stir of his own following an impressive 12 months that has seen him emerge from Duddy’s shadow to become a star in his own right.
McCloskey will look to cement his growing reputation when he tackles former world champion Cesar Bazan of Mexico on the next Hunky Dorys Fight Night which takes place at the Letterkenny Leisure Complex on Saturday, 29 March.
Promoter Brian Peters is already eyeing up a world title challenge for McCloskey so it is vital that the unbeaten southpaw does not slip up against the Mexican warrior.
Peters admitted: ‘I’ve already had preliminary talks with Paulie Malignaggi’s promoter Lou DiBella about Paul challenging him for the world title.’
McCloskey’s last win in Limerick earlier this month extended his perfect professional record to 15 and 0 following another clinical display against Mexican Manuel Garnica.
McCloskey dominated the ten-rounder from start to finish and hardly took a punch in anger all night despite facing a man who had wins over former world champs Carlos Maussa and Gabriel Ruelas.
Despite the plaudits he received after the fight McCloskey wasn’t completely happy with his own performance.
‘To be honest I felt a little sluggish in there and combined with the fact that I hurt my left hand early in the fight it meant I wasn’t entirely happy,’ McCloskey said.
‘Obviously it was good to get such a clear-cut win over a dangerous opponent like that but I suppose you’re always your own worst critic.’
The undercard features former world title challenger and British champion Neil Sinclair, rising welterweight Stephen Haughian and Cuban heavyweight sensation Mike ‘The Rebel’ Perez.
Tyrone professional Damian Taggart also features alongside top amateur Luke Wilton from Belfast who will be making his pro debut.
