Forgotten Fighters: John Duddy's Tale of Heartbreak
Forgotten Fighters: John Duddy's Tale of Heartbreak
By Roy BillingtonLong before John Duddy was even born his fighting future was already set in stone. The Duddy family from war-torn Derry, was known for its
By Roy Billington
Long before John Duddy was even born his fighting future was already set in stone. The Duddy family from war-torn Derry, was known for its keen interest in boxing. John DuddyÂ's uncle, Jackie, showed promise as a young amateur boxer, before he was tragically the first person slain by the British army during a day of bloodshed on the streets of Derry, that would later go down in infamy as Â"Bloody Sunday.Â"
Following the death of his brother, John DuddyÂ's father picked up the mantle and fulfilled his brotherÂ's legacy by becoming a well-respected fighter in his own right. While Duddy Sr. visited the gym daily to hone his skills, he left his toddler son John in the corner to play with a speedbag. DuddyÂ's early life was spent solely in the gym and after a last-minute pull-out on a local amateur show, a then 7-year old Duddy stepped in and took a decision victory.
From DuddyÂ's early days he was surrounded by greats, Irish boxing royalty Barry McGuigan and Charlie Nash were training partners of the Â"Derry DestroyerÂ'sÂ" father, so it seemed natural that Duddy was bound to succeed and that he did, winning numerous Irish championships as an adolescent and competing at the Olympic Trials before electing to turn pro.
The lure of city lights drew Duddy away from his hometown. In 2003, Duddy received an offer he couldnÂ't refuse. Eddie McLoughlin, a boxing enthusiast from Ireland now residing in New York, offered Duddy a job in with his burgeoning construction company and he also offered his services as a manager and promoter for the young Derry man. Duddy duly accepted and made the journey across the Atlantic to New York.
DuddyÂ's Irish charm and boxing prowess endeared him toward the large Irish American contingent in New York. After winning his first 9 fights by knockout, Duddy found himself fighting in the spiritual home of American boxing, Madison Square Garden. DuddyÂ's career went from success to success. In 2006, he won the IBA middleweight title, and in 2007 he put on two sold-out performances in his native land, in a tour he referred to affectionately as Â"The Homecoming.Â"
In 2008, DuddyÂ's meteoric rise spiraled into a rapid descent. Even though Duddy had sold out arenas and headlined huge shows, he found himself broke. As it transpires, DuddyÂ's long-time manager, McLouglin, had been allegedly pocketing all of DuddyÂ's ticket money as well as not paying him his minimum contracted pay.
In an interview with The New York Times, Duddy elaborated on how his finances were handled during his career.
Â"I never knew how much money my fights generated, or how much money was coming in or going out,Â" Duddy told The Times. Â"I was always kept in the dark. I was definitely mishandled, kind of like a horse led by a carrot from one fight to the next, always being told that my next fight would bring in more money. I trusted with my heart and kept fighting with my heart, but your heart can only take you so far in that business. After a while, you have to open your eyes and start thinking on your feet.Â"
The Duddy that came back in 2009, following the manager change and money debacle, wasnÂ't the same fighter as the one before. In what was a monumental upset, Duddy dropped a split-decision to Billy Lyell. While he would rebound with a few wins, he suffered defeat in his final fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
In 2010, Duddy retired from the sport of boxing with a record of 29-2. DuddyÂ's decision shocked fans and critics alike, as the popular fighter had been in talks to fight Andy Lee in what would have been a marquee fight for Irish boxing. Duddy cited a loss of passion as his main reason for retirement. The pay debacle with McLoughlin had taken its toll on the champion and boxingÂ's glitzy allure had faded into a shady memory.
While many former top-level boxers retire to a life of luxury, this would not be the case for Duddy who was forced to take a job with a removal company to make rent for his Queens apartment, which he shares with his wife Grainne, a bar maid.
From the outside, it may appear that DuddyÂ's life is on a downward spiral but, like many a boxer before him, Duddy is on the comeback trail. While he has no aspirations to enter the ring again, he has found himself mixing it up with the heavyweights of the acting world. In 2013, he acted alongside Robert De Niro in Â"Grudge Match,Â" and holds aspirations of one day earning a living in Hollywood.
Looking back, DuddyÂ's career was incredibly impressive. He was a really fun fighter to watch, but it was a shame how he was taken advantage of. Luckily for Duddy he exited the brutal game physically unscathed and with his movie-star looks, a career in Hollywood is certainly a realistic aspiration..
Long before John Duddy was even born his fighting future was already set in stone. The Duddy family from war-torn Derry, was known for its keen interest in boxing. John DuddyÂ's uncle, Jackie, showed promise as a young amateur boxer, before he was tragically the first person slain by the British army during a day of bloodshed on the streets of Derry, that would later go down in infamy as Â"Bloody Sunday.Â"
Following the death of his brother, John DuddyÂ's father picked up the mantle and fulfilled his brotherÂ's legacy by becoming a well-respected fighter in his own right. While Duddy Sr. visited the gym daily to hone his skills, he left his toddler son John in the corner to play with a speedbag. DuddyÂ's early life was spent solely in the gym and after a last-minute pull-out on a local amateur show, a then 7-year old Duddy stepped in and took a decision victory.
From DuddyÂ's early days he was surrounded by greats, Irish boxing royalty Barry McGuigan and Charlie Nash were training partners of the Â"Derry DestroyerÂ'sÂ" father, so it seemed natural that Duddy was bound to succeed and that he did, winning numerous Irish championships as an adolescent and competing at the Olympic Trials before electing to turn pro.
The lure of city lights drew Duddy away from his hometown. In 2003, Duddy received an offer he couldnÂ't refuse. Eddie McLoughlin, a boxing enthusiast from Ireland now residing in New York, offered Duddy a job in with his burgeoning construction company and he also offered his services as a manager and promoter for the young Derry man. Duddy duly accepted and made the journey across the Atlantic to New York.
DuddyÂ's Irish charm and boxing prowess endeared him toward the large Irish American contingent in New York. After winning his first 9 fights by knockout, Duddy found himself fighting in the spiritual home of American boxing, Madison Square Garden. DuddyÂ's career went from success to success. In 2006, he won the IBA middleweight title, and in 2007 he put on two sold-out performances in his native land, in a tour he referred to affectionately as Â"The Homecoming.Â"
In 2008, DuddyÂ's meteoric rise spiraled into a rapid descent. Even though Duddy had sold out arenas and headlined huge shows, he found himself broke. As it transpires, DuddyÂ's long-time manager, McLouglin, had been allegedly pocketing all of DuddyÂ's ticket money as well as not paying him his minimum contracted pay.
In an interview with The New York Times, Duddy elaborated on how his finances were handled during his career.
Â"I never knew how much money my fights generated, or how much money was coming in or going out,Â" Duddy told The Times. Â"I was always kept in the dark. I was definitely mishandled, kind of like a horse led by a carrot from one fight to the next, always being told that my next fight would bring in more money. I trusted with my heart and kept fighting with my heart, but your heart can only take you so far in that business. After a while, you have to open your eyes and start thinking on your feet.Â"
The Duddy that came back in 2009, following the manager change and money debacle, wasnÂ't the same fighter as the one before. In what was a monumental upset, Duddy dropped a split-decision to Billy Lyell. While he would rebound with a few wins, he suffered defeat in his final fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
In 2010, Duddy retired from the sport of boxing with a record of 29-2. DuddyÂ's decision shocked fans and critics alike, as the popular fighter had been in talks to fight Andy Lee in what would have been a marquee fight for Irish boxing. Duddy cited a loss of passion as his main reason for retirement. The pay debacle with McLoughlin had taken its toll on the champion and boxingÂ's glitzy allure had faded into a shady memory.
While many former top-level boxers retire to a life of luxury, this would not be the case for Duddy who was forced to take a job with a removal company to make rent for his Queens apartment, which he shares with his wife Grainne, a bar maid.
From the outside, it may appear that DuddyÂ's life is on a downward spiral but, like many a boxer before him, Duddy is on the comeback trail. While he has no aspirations to enter the ring again, he has found himself mixing it up with the heavyweights of the acting world. In 2013, he acted alongside Robert De Niro in Â"Grudge Match,Â" and holds aspirations of one day earning a living in Hollywood.
Looking back, DuddyÂ's career was incredibly impressive. He was a really fun fighter to watch, but it was a shame how he was taken advantage of. Luckily for Duddy he exited the brutal game physically unscathed and with his movie-star looks, a career in Hollywood is certainly a realistic aspiration..