Duddy to face Smichet in New York

John Duddy outpointed Howard Eastman in Belfast

Unbeaten Irish middleweight John Duddy will fight Canadian-based Tunisian Walid Smichet over 10 rounds at Madison Square Garden, New York on 23 February.

Duddy had been scheduled to fight American Matt Vanda on 2 February.

The Derryman won his last three fights in Ireland, beating Howard Eastman at the King's Hall, Belfast, in December.

"We're getting nearer the ultimate prize in boxing, the middleweight world championship, maybe after this fight," said Duddy's promoter Eddie McLoughlin.

The February bill will be headlined by IBF world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko's unification fight against WBO title-holder Sultan Ibragimov.

Duddy has won all of his 23 career fights so far, including 17 knockouts, but had to settle for a points decision over Eastman last time out.

Smichet's most notable victory to date was a 10th round knockout of the previously unbeaten Matt O'Brien for the Canadian Middleweight Interim title.