Headlining “Hassle In The Castle” on June 28

NEW YORK (June 12, 2008) – Undefeated world middleweight contender “Ireland’s” John Duddy is training in Miami with his new trainer, Pat Burns, for his return to Boston on Saturday night, June 28 against Charles Howe, headlining “Hassle In The Castle” at The Castle in downtown Boston.

“I’m looking forward to fighting again in Boston,” Duddy said from training camp. “I’ve fought there and visited Boston many times. The atmosphere there is very friendly with so many of my family, friends and fans living there. The Castle is familiar territory for me, especially with so many irish there. I’m looking to give them a good experience.”

Duddy (24-0, 17 KOs), a native of County Derry in N. Ireland, living and fighting out of Queens, New York, is presently rated No. 2 by the WBC and No. 3 by the WBO, as well as No. 5 by the WBA and No. 10 by the IBF. Howe (17-4-2, 9 KOs), fighting out of Ohio, is coming off of the only loss in his last 14 fights, dating back nearly eight years, to WBC USNBC champion Joey Gilbert in their title fight last September.

“Training camp has been normal but we implemented weight training – three times a day, five times a week – and I rarely have a day off,” Duddy commented on his first training camp with Burns, who trained Jermain Taylor to the world middleweight championship. “Monday through Friday I do my regular boxing training. I run early in the morning around a track at a local park, as well as over a bridge and in another park. It hasn’t become monotonous because there are so many different routes we run.

“I’m feeling great. You know, my last few fights, some people have said I looked smaller. Even my mother and father said that. I didn’t really feel it but we’ve been working on me being stronger. I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been great working with Pat. I’ve enjoyed our time together and I like his ideas. His brother, Joseph, has been a great help, conditioning-wise. I do what I do. I love training to fight. The preparation for my next fight has been great but, at the end of the day, all that matters is what I do in the ring. I’m looking forward to doing much better than I did my last fight.”

South Boston middleweight Donald Orr (12-0, 5 KOs), 2000 Canadian Olympian, is scheduled to fight an opponent to be determined in the 8-round co-feature.

On the undercard, Worcester (MA) middleweight prospect Edwin Rodriguez (6-0, 5 KOs), 2-time U.S. National amateur champion, steps up in competition to fight Hector Hernandez (10-2-2, 4 KOs) in a 6-round bout.

Boston-based cruiserweight Mark Clancy (7-0-1, 1 KO), 4-time Irish National amateur finalist, faces Salah Zabian (6-10, 4 KOs), of Lee (MA), in a 6-rounder. Lynn (MA) junior welterweight Simeon Dunwell (7-0, 2 KOs) puts his unbeaten record on the line versus Aaron Drake (13-6, 9 KOs). Philadelphia super featherweight Frank Trader (1-0, 0 KOs) is also slated to fight on the card in a 4-round match versus TBA. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $50.00 $75.00 and $100.00 and are available at The Kells (Jerry Quinn – 617.733.4535) in Allston, Porter Belly’s (Sean McCormack and Pat O’Sullivan – 617.254.3300) in Brighton, Shenanigans Bar & Grill (Shay Harris – 617.269.9509) in South Boston, and The Banshee Pub (617.436.9747). Tickets are also available at the usual Irish Ropes outlets in New York City and by going on line at www.irishropes.com. Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET, first bout at 7:30 PM/ET.

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