Irish middleweight John Duddy is predicting 'fireworks' against Matt Vanda tomorrow - but is determined not to go looking for a brawl.
The New York-based Derryman returns to Madison Square Garden for the first time since seeing a world-title shot against Kelly Pavlik go up in flames after a terrible performance against Walid Smichet a year ago.
Duddy (25-0, 17 KOs) won that fight last 23 February on a split decision but suffered a bad cut above his left eye which denied him a challenge to Pavlik that instead went to Welshman Gary Lockett.
He has since changed trainers and parted company with the manager and promoter he had been with since turning professional in 2003 but has fought just once in the interim, with new handler Pat Burns in his corner, and looked far more convincing and controlled in a decision win over Charles Howe last summer.
Now he is looking to continue in that vein as he bids to get past Vanda (39-8, 22 KOs) in the co-feature event on the Miguel Cotto-Michael Jennings fight for the vacant WBO welterweight title.
'I'm looking to carry on what I did against Charles Howe - using my brain, getting that live or die attitude out of me,' Duddy said.
'There are times in certain fights where I'm sure that will have to come out but you don't have to go looking for it. I should be looking at along the same lines at the Howe fight now but probably more clinical, using my jab a lot more, my footwork and my head movement a lot more.'
Like Duddy, Vanda is renowned for his punching power and aggression and the Derry fighter believes he will have to be strong-minded not to get dragged into an ill-advised brawl with the American, who is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision loss in a rematch with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr last November.
'Against Matt Vanda, I think it's got the makings of a great contest. I would think there's probably the potential that he would want to draw me into (a brawl) that I wouldn't want to be drawn into. Then again, it's all about your composure and self control.
'I think with the two of our styles there's going to be fireworks.'
Duddy's use of the jab, or lack thereof, has been one of the critics' biggest bugbears regarding the Derryman's style
'The reason everyone's telling me about my jab because believe it or not I do have a good jab and I have to start believing in it, trusting it and using it.
'In my fights where I've actually used my jab I've dominated them and made a fairly easy night's work for myself. Then there's the other nights when I just get stupid and forget the jab and just wing it out and I make things very, very hard for myself.
'At the end of the day boxing's hard enough without adding to it, so I'm looking forward to hopefully having a great time on Saturday night.'
