Duddy to fight in NY in November

John Duddy has won all of his 25 professional bouts

John Duddy will make his return to the ring in New York on 21 November.

Duddy has not boxed since chalking up his 25th successive pro win in June and last week spoke of his frustration at the delay in organising his next bout.

However, it has been confirmed that Duddy will box at the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan on the November date.

His opponent has yet to be firmed up but Duddy will hope that the bout is another step on the way to him landing a world title fight in 2009.

"It's great to hear about the fight," Duddy told BBC Sport.

"I've been out far too long in my opinion and I can't wait to get back into training with my coach Patrick Burns and doing what I love doing."

Duddy will head to Miami on Thursday morning to begin six weeks of preparation for the New York fight.

After spending some time back home in his native Derry, Duddy returned to the US last week and he was delighted by the welcome that he got in the Big Apple.

"After I got back to New York, everyone was saying that it was great to see me home again and I'd just left my home in Derry.

"I think the people are looking forward to seeing me back in action.

"I don't know the opponent yet but at the end of the day, if I'm 100% fitness wise, I'll have a crack at anybody."

Duddy was close to being matched with IBF light-middleweight champion Verno Phillips in late October but negotiations broke down.

A bout with unbeaten Ronald Hearns, the son of the legendary Tommy 'Hitman' Hearns, is being pencilled in for January in the US but Duddy is delighted that he will have a contest before Christmas.