”IRELAND’S” John Duddy tries to make a name for himself tonight by beating someone with a big name. Duddy takes on Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a pay-per-view fight from the Alamodome in San Antonio. Also on the televised card, dubbed “Latin Fury 15,” is five-time world champion Marco Antonio Barrera.
Chavez is the son of the legendary Mexican brawler Julio Cesar Chavez. And though the name is the same, the son doesn’t have the talent his father had. Nevertheless, he has compiled a 40-0-1 record while being carefully matched.
Freddie Roach has assumed the role of Chavez’s trainer for this test against Duddy (29-1, 18 KOs), who figures to be the toughest challenge of Chavez’s career.
“I think that the world is more focused on Julio than myself,” Duddy said in recent interviews. “It’s up to him to have answers. I know that this is going to be a great fight and the toughest and hardest fight of my career.
“And if I have my way, it’s going to be one of the hardest fights of his career as well.”
Questions surround both fighters. Duddy is a gamer with plenty of courage, but hasn’t displayed the type of talent to compete on a world class level. The same can be said for Chavez, who turned pro without an amateur background.
Chavez said he’s a better fighter having worked with Roach.
“He has taught me so much in our time together,” Chavez said. “I am excited, motivated and in great condition. I am going to show everyone what being in great condition really means. Duddy is a good strong fighter, however, I expect a tough fight and I am sure Duddy will fight hard.”
Both fighters get hit a lot, which concerns Roach.
“Duddy likes to throw hard right hands and Julio tends to get hit with rights,” the trainer said. “That’s not a good combination for us. Julio had no problems sparring 12 rounds in the gym last week. He is in very good shape and if he pressures Duddy, I think Julio has a very good chance of being the first to stop him.”
Barrera (68-7, 43 KOs) of Mexico City continues his storied career against Adilton De Jesus (25-4, 20 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight fight.
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Fedor Emelianenko and champion female fighter Cris Cyborg headline a Strikeforce MMA event to be televised tonight by Showtime from San Jose. Fedor faces Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum of Brazil, and Cyborg defends her Strikeforce women’s middleweight (145 pounds) title against Jan Finney. Former middleweight champ Cung Le is also on the card against Scott Smith.
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Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, a former two-time New York City Golden Gloves champion and the WBA light heavyweight champion from 1980-81, has joined Zab “Super” Judah’s training team. Judah (38-6, 26 KOs), a Brooklyn native and former undisputed welterweight champion, is in Las Vegas preparing for his July 16 battle at the Prudential Center in Newark against Jose Armando Santa Cruz (28-4, 17 KOs) of Michoacán, Mexico. The fight will be broadcast live on ESPN2. Tickets priced at $53, $78, $103 and $203 (ringside) can be purchased at the Prudential Center Box Office, by calling TicketMaster at (800) 745-3000 or http://www.prucenter.com.
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WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto of Winter Haven, Fla., was honored earlier this week by the Polk County Sports Hall of Fame for his efforts in Haiti and strong resolve in the ring.
Berto received the 2010 Commissioners Award for Perseverance at the Polk County All Sports Awards and Florida Sports Hall of Fame ceremony, which took place in Lakeland.